Harness Racing – A Part of our Culture

As Canada Day approaches, there is no better time to reflect on what it is that makes us Canadian and proud to be so

. Ask anyone what they associate with Canada and you might get responses like hockey, maple syrup and the Mounties. Harness racing will not normally be on most people’s lists of what makes Canadian culture what it is, except among some of those in this industry, perhaps. That is a shame. Harness racing is a big part of Canadian culture in so many ways:

1. It is part of the social fabric of so many of our communities. Think of the sight of dozens of lawn chairs trackside at Hanover Raceway, occupied by folks like you and me, enjoying a Saturday night out, or the down to earth atmosphere of harness racing at fairs. Consider the stirring melange of pageantry and tradition of the Gold Cup and Saucer during Old Home Week in Charlottetown. Even in the bigger cities, a glitzy night out in Toronto or Ottawa can mean a trip to Woodbine or Rideau Carleton Raceway. Those are just some examples of how Canadians across the country enjoy harness racing and make it a part of the culture in their hometowns.

2. Harness racing is a truly national game. Its participants come from every part of the country. In addition, when the current situation in Quebec is fully resolved and harness racing returns to La Belle Province, we will again be able to say that harness racing is conducted at a professional level in every Canadian province. Can any other sport can say that?

3. Beyond our borders, our home-grown human and equine talent regularly graces racetracks in the U.S. and elsewhere. John Campbell and Hervé Filion are among the most prominent examples of the many drivers and other horse people who have gone on from their beginnings in Canada to ply their trade with great success south of the border. As far as horses are concerned, who can forget the pride and excitement we all felt as we followed the exploits of Somebeachsomewhere on both sides of the border last year? Many can still recall the triumphs of Cam Fella and Billyjojimbob before that. Canadians have long asserted their prominent place in international harness racing and you can be sure that they will continue to do so for some time to come.

Just as hockey is recognized as a part of Canadian culture, our sport deserves to be recognized as a part of our culture as well. There are so many ways in which we can make that happen. On an individual level, we can bring friends and colleagues to the track and share the sport with our fellow Canadians one (or more) at a time. The idea of harness racing as culture can be woven into our promotional activities. That seems to be working in France, as I noticed on a recent visit to Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes. However we choose to celebrate and promote harness racing as a cultural activity, it is important that we do so as one of the ways in which we can develop and maintain public support for the harness racing industry in Canada. With all that in mind, happy Canada Day!

Comments

Thank you, Rick, Kelly, Darryl and Norm for all of your kind comments. It was fun to write this blog and I look forward to doing many more Trot Blogs in the near future.

CONGRATULATIONS STANDARDBRED CANADA!!!
Excellent choice on your latest blogger.

In Adam, you have a passionate harness racing fan with intelligent insights into the game we love.

Keep up the good work Adam. See you in the booth at Rideau

Darryl MacArthur

Thank you for this Adam. Our industry and the people who make it what it is have so many things to be proud of and I feel these types of gentle reminders are a great way to celibate "US". For those who suggest we spend all of our time lamenting the challenges we are facing I would offer a response in keeping with Adam's positive and optimistic attitude...WE need to be excited and believe in "US" before we can expect those outside our sport to be excited about what we do.

We all can see there is work for our entire industry to do...honestly though...is that so different than every other person, business or Country? Great ideas, great people, desire, work ethic and the right plan(s) (ok, a little luck can't hurt either) are the things that excite and motivate us to be involved. For those who do not know us yet, lets share that excitement and positive energy every chance we get...as I see it we owe it to them!

Thanks again Adam.

Darryl MacArthur

Adam -- great to see you're the newest addition to TROT Blog Team! I'm sure SC's readers will love your thoughtful and passionate take on the sport. Welcome! And Happy Canada Day!

I agree with Adam. Effectively, harness racing is a CANADIAN sport. It wasn't always like that but has become truer and truer with each passing year, mainly because the Americans have been letting it slip away. Over the past 30 years, Louisville Downs, Rosevelt Raceway, Liberty Bell, Hollywood Park and Brandywine Raceway have closed their doors to harness racing without having been replaced. The sport virtually exists only in the Northeast, exceptions being Pompano and Sacremento, California.

As Adam states, harness racing is alive and well in virtually every province of Canada.

Thirty years ago, it would have been quite a proud day for Canada just to make the final of races such as the Little Brown Jug or The Hambletonian. Today, we are disappointed if we don't win.

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