Horsemen In The House Of Commons

Two well-known Ontario horsemen made a trip to Canada's capital last week for an insider's view of a day in the life of a politician

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Five months ago, OHRIA's Hector Clouthier donated an unique auction item to a fund raiser organized by Casie Coleman. The package included a tour of Parliamentary Buildings, dinner for two in the exclusive Parliamentary Dining Room and seats in the Gallery for Question Period.

The moment the auction item was announced on the SC website, trainer Phil Coole knew he'd be the buyer.

"I spoke to Casie at Harrisburg, and I told her I'd buy it," Coole, a self-confessed political junkie told Trot Insider. Coole was the successful high bidder on the item but then had to wait patiently for his trip after someone by the name of Harper had other ideas for the parliamentary session.

"We were going to go earlier but parliament was prorogued, so we never got the opportunity to go until this past Wednesday," stated Hec Clouthier, the personal tour guide for Coole and fellow political animal Joe Stutzman. Coole trains at Stutzman's FirstLine Training Centre and the two horsemen made the most of their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Clouthier stressed the importance of timing his trip. "The best day of the week for Question Period is Wednesday," said the longtime Liberal. "The parties hold their caucus meetings that morning, so by the time the Members of Parliament get to QP they're all fired up."

Coole and Stutzman were seated with Clouthier in direct view of Speaker of the House Peter Milliken, and the horsemen were awestruck in the presence of the political powerhouses throughout the day.

"I was like a kid in a candy store," beamed an ecstatic Coole. "Seeing people like Mike Duffy and Craig Oliver, and being able to meet them and have their ear for a minute or two, it was just unbelievable."

Both trainers were quick to proudly mention talking to the apparent "rock star" of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau.

"Talking to Trudeau was a big thrill," said Stutzman, "and right after we were done talking to him the media flocked and the cameras were right on him."

Clouthier's tour also took Coole and Stutzman to the parliamentary library as well as a few of the MP's offices.

"Peter Stoffer took us to his office, and everyone who goes to his office has to throw three darts at a dartboard," recounted Coole. "If you get a Bulls Eye, you're on a plaque engraved on his wall."

While none of the horsemen hit a the centre of the dartboard, Coole did indicate that one topic served to directly connect the group: harness racing.

"As soon as we mentioned horses and horse racing, Stoffer, who represents the Sackville, Nova Scotia riding, starts talking about the days of Sackville Downs in the 1980s."

Stoffer wasn't the only fan of harness racing that the horsemen encountered.

"Gilles Duceppe is a fanatic," stated Coole, "Hec mentions that we're in harness racing and Duceppe goes on about his days back at Richelieu Park. He was proud to talk about Blue Bonnets and Keith Waples and us."

Upon reflection of the experience, Clouthier quickly noted the tour couldn't have transpired with two better guests.

"Phil and Joe were like a pair of kids down there, they really enjoyed themselves," stated Clouthier. "They were the right pair to have on Parliament Hill and it was my pleasure to show them around. We had lots of fun that day and met some very interesting people."

Stutzman praised Clouthier for making the trip possible and adding everything he could to make it an amazing excursion.

"As good as anything was being with Hec, he had all the inside scoops, and his quick wit and stories were as good as anything."

Coole concurred with Stutzman, saying that Clouthier went "above and beyond" for his guests.