On July 16, 2016, Georgian Downs celebrated families and the midpoint of the Racing Under Saddle Ontario season with a $5,000 RUS handicap race, however, Norwegian native Marit Valstad marked the end of a special chapter of her life on that night.

While winning would have been icing on the cake for Valstad, she was happy to finish third thus tallying another solid season in RUS Ontario as she prepares to move home to Norway permanently.

Valstad rode in her first race in 2000 at her home track of Leangen in Trondheim, Norway and continued to perfect her craft even after arriving in North America where racing under saddle was nothing more than a dream. In the early stages in Canada, a handful of people believed something new in Standardbred racing was needed and to that end RUS Ontario was born. Current President Julie Walker and a small group of highly dedicated people -- Valstad included -- worked tirelessly to get under saddle racing into the mainstream, including going before the then Ontario Racing Commission to achieve pari-mutuel wagering on the under saddle product in 2014. Walker and Valstad also worked together to give anyone wanting a chance to try riding Monte that opportunity. As racing under saddle gained traction, RUS Ontario added teaching clinics, which include training tips for riders, equipment seminars and a fitness test fashioned after the ones given in Norway and Sweden so riders can test their strength and readiness to race under saddle.

Valstad has viewed racing under saddle from a unique perspective because Monte (the European term for racing under saddle) was just getting started in Norway when Valstad was a teenager. However, by the time she moved to Canada, her home country had developed a thriving RUS circuit. But when Valstad arrived in North America, she found the new continent facing the same struggles Norway had just worked through. Ontario riders where having the same difficulties Norwegian riders had to surmount in the daunting task of convincing trainers that working trotters under saddle would lead to better muscle, more balanced gaits and noticeable attitude changes. While the challenges have been great, the rewards have been countless too. One of the exciting facets of racing in Canada is that race riders train most of their mounts too and that adds a special connection for the horses and the riders. In addition, the uniqueness of females being the majority participants in racing under saddle gives young girls role models in racing. For many youngsters all over the world, the chance to come to North America and be a part of Standardbred racing is a dream, and for Valstad, the chance to be able to participate as a race rider in Canada is a lifetime accomplishment.

As she prepares to return to Norway, Valstad, the 2014 RUS Ontario high point rider, reminisced about her time as a pioneer RUS rider in Canada. She especially enjoyed the Norway-Canada Challenge races that pitted three Canadian riders against three invited riders from Norway. Also standing out in her mind was the 2014 Exhibition Mohawk Racetrack race where she and her standout mount from that year, Radical Dreamer, capped off a terrific season by dead heating for the win. Valstad noted that just racing over the world famous Mohawk oval is a fantasy for many youngsters; however, arriving in the winner's circle is indescribable. As well, in 2015, the Harlequin RUS Invitational attracted a field of star riders from across the globe including the winningest Monte rider of all time, Belgian native Philippe Masschaele. Once again, Valstad toured the Mohawk oval, this time riding in close quarters with the “John Campbell” of Monte racing. While Masschaele won the race impressively, Valstad still cherishes her memories of having raced in the company of a legend.

For Valstad, the return to Norway is another exciting adventure, but she will miss the media and fanfare that surrounds racing under saddle in Canada, including ‘meet and greets’ in the grandstands where fans can get up close and learn about racing under saddle. She will also miss the many photographers that find RUS exciting and attractive to photograph. Their generosity with their time and skills has resulted in many permanently preserved memories for Valstad, and these she will take home with her and be able to look back fondly on a dream come true as she helped Monte racing grow roots in her second home land.

The RUS Ontario seasons continues on August 1 at Grand River Raceway as part of the Industry Day celebrations, as well the racing under saddle excitement will touch down in Hanover, Ont. at Hanover Raceway on August 20.

(RUS Ontario)