"We need to make more use of the horse, we need to do it in such a way that we encourage the betting along with it and the support and go back to how much the community actually benefits from horse racing itself."

While Carla Robin is new to the harness industry she is no stranger to horses or competing. She has been a competitive enthusiastic person all her life. And as the new Executive Dirctor for Harness Racing B.C., she offers the kind of personality and fresh eyes that harness racing on the West Coast needs right now.

"When I was approached about this job, I thought, you know something, this is something where I can use all the experience I have from the past and make a difference," Robin told Trot Radio's Norm Borg. "Try to, let’s say, revitalize the industry out here because it really needs it and it has got huge potential."

With a background with horses in the hunter and jumper industry, Robin realizes that she's still learning but doesn't necessarily see that learning curve as an impediment.

"When you come in with that fresh set of eyes and you can ask things right from the ground up, they’re not anything I take for granted," noted Robin. "Whereas, for some of (the participants), that information for them they might take for granted because they know their process. That process might not necessarily be a good process any more for them. It’s good to have that fresh set of eyes. I wish I wasn’t so inexperienced in the racing industry but I think I can pick it up pretty quick."

One of the subjects featured in Trot's State of the Industry issue, Robin discusses come of her main objectives as HRBC's Executive Director, including having harness racing do a better job in promoting the industry as a career choice.

"To me, a future as an athlete in a sport, being around the animals, etc., you can start as a groom and go right up and it really is a legitimate career. I think we need to promote that more and we’ve done a pretty poor job of doing that in the past."

To listen to the full interview, click the play button below, and be sure to check out the full feature on Carla Robin in the May issue of Trot Magazine.

Trot Radio - Episode 332 - Carla Robin
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg

The opinions expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.