It was standing room only for the overflow gathering of over 300 harness folk, who converged on the Mohawk Inn and Convention Centre in Campbellville, Ont. for an evening that will long be remembered by the participants of the industry's golden age of harness racing in Ontario.
Jim Ralph, the evening's emcee and colour commentator for the Toronto Maple Leafs radio show, regaled everyone with his Don Cherry and Foster Hewitt impressions, Hall of Famer Keith Waples was swamped with well-wishers, and Gordon Krantz, mayor of Milton, Ont., presented a plaque commemorating 250 years of horse racing in Canada to Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) president Ken Hardy on behalf of the council and citizens of Milton.
OHHA president Ken Hardy (left) receives a commemorative plaque from Milton mayor Gordon Krantz (second from left). Also pictured are OHHA vice president Jim Whelan (second from right) and general manager Brian Tropea (right).
People from every facet of the industry were in attendance. Veterinarians, track officials, Standardbred breeders and owners, harness writers, blacksmiths, drivers, grooms, and trainers exchanged greetings and stories. It was a happy occasion.
"What a great idea," said Hall of Famer Carl Jamieson. "I haven't seen some of these people in 15 years."
“I would not have missed attending this evening for anything," said Ron Hill, who spent 40 years shoeing horses at Ontario and Florida tracks. Ron journeyed from his home in Hartland, New Brunswick for the occasion.
Gus Ratchford, a transplanted Maritimer from Sydney, Nova Scotia who campaigned horses in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, and California, travelled from his home in California.
The evening was the brainchild of Pat Crowe and Kent Baker, and ably implemented and presented by Brian Tropea, general manager of OHHA, who sponsored the event.
(OHHA)