SC Rewind: Ladies In Silks

In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith chooses an appropriate topic for Mother's Day as he reminisces about some of the many great ladies who have graced our sport, both past and present

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A few years ago one of the great jewels of our sport's past was brought out and her memorable career recalled; her name was Mildred Williams. Thankfully she is now remembered each year by a series of races named in her honour. I did not ever see Mildred handle the reins but from what I have read, and even more importantly heard from those who knew her, I know I would have liked this gracious lady. Sometimes even a picture tells us a lot.

Down through the years there have been a lot of great "horsewomen", if that is the correct word who have donned their silks and helmets (and soft caps) and displayed their talents to appreciative audiences. Many were also mothers. Over the past few weeks I have been jotting down the names of those who I have recalled and there certainly will be many that I have missed. I have been fortunate to see many of them in action and have read or known in other ways about many more. Just last year I saw quite a show put on by Riina Rekila in a couple of OSS events.

I have assembled a few recreated write ups as they may have appeared at the time to show how involved many of the memorable distaff performers from years ago actually were. I recently came across what I think is an appropriate quote for this week "A woman's place is in the home, the homestretch".

1952
August 7, 1952 - Harness Racing fans at Toronto's Thorncliffe Park this afternoon witnessed somewhat of a rarity as two female drivers entered the winner's circle on the same program. In the opener Mary Lou O'Connor from Warwick Downs, Rhode Island scored a victory behind Spencer's Betty. Three races later Miss Jackie Sharpe piloted six-year-old Waskada Lad home first in 2:14.4 for owner James C. Sharpe of Beechy, Sask. One race later, Miss O'Connor notched her second win of the day. These are not the only two lady drivers to win at this track as Mildred Williams has also been a visitor to the winner's circle, all captured by the camera of Michael Burns.

1960
Miss Jean Walker of Owen Sound has a nice three-year-old trotting filly named Peggy P Prologue on the go this year and is doing some of her own driving. On June 25th at Owen Sound she was first and second, bowing in the second heat to Hannah Dean driven by Shirley McLean of Port Elgin in 2:19. On September 10th she travelled much farther East to Orono and had a 1-3 standing, identical to another trotter - Valera, who was awarded the overall victory based on the fastest heat of 2:15. The winning driver of Valera was Viola Walker who just happens to be Jeanie's mother.

1962
Mrs. R. T. "Vivian" Crichton of Rockwood, Ont. has completed a near perfect season with her four-year-old grey mare Della's Hal T and they have now returned to winter quarters. Unraced at 3, the pair have made several appearances at local Fairs and recorded double heat victories at Arthur and Caledon and a single at New Hamburg. Their best time and new lifetime record of 2:16 was achieved at the Caledon Fair on September 8 over a field of seven trotters and pacers.

1985
August 11, 1985 - All ladies were granted free admission on this evening and track official Dan Gibson said "We had about four times as many women in the crowd as we normally get ". It is doubtful anyone went home disappointed as Danielle Duquette trainer for the Jean Paul Charron stable in Montreal paid a visit and drove in all 10 races. She was victorious in five or exactly half of them, which is believed to be a North American record for a single race card.

The following is an alphabetical list of female drivers that I know of who have made public appearances in the sulky. They may have appeared in exhibition races or other competitions as well as being full time drivers and are from both Canada and the U.S. As always, please feel free to add anyone I have missed as this is a very short list.

Joey Ayotte, Margaret (Campbell) Bowra, Mrs. Cliff Bradley, Tracy Brainard, Karin (Olsen) Burgess, Jeanette Byer, Karen (Bennett) Carroll, Mary Carroll, Kelly Case, Colleen Chappel, Stacy Chiodo, Casie Coleman, June Coyle, Vivian Crichton, Ann Curran, Donna (Field) DeGrow, Brenda Duncan, Danielle Duquette, Bea Farber, Sandra Fisher, Lucille Fleming, Grace (Rowntree) Gould, Carol (Hukill) Gosman, Retta Herrington, Krissy Hie, Karen (Fekete) Hudon, Gro Formia, Wilma Harris, Hilda Heydt, Cindy Horner, Bobbe Huntress, Jacqueline Ingrassia, Janet Irvine, Susanne Kerwood, Connie Kolthammer, Ann Karin Larsen, Andrea Leon, Clare (Haley) Macdonald, Tammy MacKay, Cherie Martin, Shirley McLean, Amber McPhee, Marsha Noonan, Mary Lou O'Connor, Jackie (Sharpe) Portelance, Riina Rekila, Alma Sheppard, Jean (Walker) Thibaudeau, Viola Walker, Tammy Watt, Jayne Weller, June (Dillman) Weller, Marjorie (Hodgins) Wellwood, Paula Wellwood, Mildred Williams.

In closing I would like to offer my personal best wishes and a Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers in the reading audience. We should indeed be grateful to our mothers for all they have given and have done for us. Their untiring sacrifices often go unnoticed and unrewarded and that's why we have a day like today. Imagine life without being taught how to tie your shoes, tell time, cook an egg and know right from wrong? If your mother is still living, give her a hug and express your love and gratitude while you can. Just think for a moment of the many things she has taught you and shaped you along life's way. A very special thank you to the mothers in my immediate family, especially my loving wife and two daughters who bring so much light to every day. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

A mother holds her children's hands for a while and their hearts forever. (Author unknown)