Do you ever think about how happy or excited you feel when you’re looking forward to something? Whether it’s a holiday, a horse racing, seeing an old friend, or the last chapter of a gripping book, research has shown that anticipating something can be a powerful and positive emotion that can help us live happier lives.

Anticipation...this is what drives our industry. It’s the emotion you feel when you’re waiting for something.

How have you felt when you’re waiting for a foal to be born, a horse to qualify, a horse to race or the winner of an award to be announced?

I can only imagine the anticipation that many owners and horsemen have been feeling since December 15, the day Standardbred Canada announced the finalists for the O’Brien Awards. Tonight that anticipation will come to a climax when the winners are revealed.

In my job, I have the privilege of contacting the finalists to give them the good news. This is one of my absolute favourite things to do in my job. I love listening to the reactions. Emotions range from disbelief and shock to thankfulness and joy while some are honoured and confident. I’ve been hung up on (by accident), shouted at (a nice shout), hugged through the phone, and thanked over and over again. (and I don’t even vote!)

Two of my favourite reactions this year were from Media Award Finalists Sydney Weaver and Cherie Paskaruk. Both were exuberant beyond words. I could actually feel them smiling on the phone. How lucky was I to give both of these talented young ladies the good news that their work had earned national recognition! I actually had to leave Cherie a message which I don’t like to do. I knew she’d received it when I saw a flurry of activity on Facebook congratulating her. We did connect shortly after and I was able to hear the joy in her voice. I’m very much looking forward to meeting Cherie tonight.

A race usually lasts less than two minutes, the awards will last a few hours, but anticipation is an infinite cycle. Enjoy those moments that lead up to the events...that’s what makes them special. It’s the build up, it’s the swirl, it’s the preparation, it’s all of those things that come together to produce a result or event.

Congratulations O’Brien Award finalists! Tonight is about you and your horses. Enjoy every single minute of this celebration of Canadian harness racing!

The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.