The competitiveness of the harness racing industry is more than apparent to everyone involved. All participants with horses in to go are looking for the biggest piece of the pie that he/she can get. That competitiveness is uniquely
contrasted by a true compassion for fellow combatants, and nothing reflects that more than the story of trainer Kathleen Cary-Black.
In yet another case of a harness racing participant dodging serious injury via the use of a flak jacket, Cary-Black explained to Trot Insider that the piece of equipment was instrumental in aligning a better fate during the Tuesday, March 9 program at Windsor Raceway.
"I was leading my horse (Terrifically Easy) and was at a standstill in the paddock near the urine stall," she said. "A horse came by and kicked me in the chest. I had just come in from warming up. I had taken my colours off, but I still had my flak jacket on."
As she described what she could remember of the scary incident to Trot Insider, the resident of Fowlesville, Michigan could not help but give praise to the Canadian horsemen and women that came to her aid.
"I'm a citizen of the United States, and the love, care and attention I received from everybody that was there at the time was unbelievable," she said.
Not only did emergency services tend to Cary-Black and get her to the local Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital, but horsepeople at the track during that card corralled her horse, raced the mare and earned a cheque.
With pilot Brad Kramer in tow, Terrifically Easy left from Post 1 and protected the rail, which resulted in a two-hole ride behind a heavy favourite which was bet down to 25 cents on the dollar. Racing at post-time odds of 31-1, Kramer and Terrifically Easy would finish third, and pace the mile in 1:56.2 (the mare's second-fastest charted mile of the 2010 racing season).
"I learned that we are more than competitors," she explained to Trot Insider. "If it was not for the kind and thoughtful hearts of so many people, I don’t know how I would have gotten through that evening."
Cary-Black told Trot Insider that chest x-rays showed that no bones were broken, and that it wasn't too long before she was back in the barn back home.
One thing which was apparent in Trot Insider's discussion with Cary-Black was that she couldn't thank everyone involved enough.
"I want to say thank-you to so many people. To the person that caught my horse and put her in the cross ties so I could see her; to the person that talked to me to keep to me from moving around too much; to the person that talked to me, and helped me stay calm; to the people that called home for me to let my loved ones know that I need their help; to the team that raced my horse without knowing anything about her; to the person that brought my horse home safe and sound, and to the person that brought my van and trailer home.
"I want to say thank-you for all the kind words and the show of concern for a fellow horse person. I cannot say thank-you enough to all the horsepeople for all your help that night."