A regular contributor to the Heart of Harness Racing calendar, Tammy Webb of Fredericton, N.B. captured the September calendar photo while watching the races at Saint John’s Exhibition Park Raceway.
Webb was at the track that day taking photos as she typically does of the horses and fans. She was trying to take a photo of her friend Bob MacNeil’s horse, Union Man Hanover, going behind the gate and managed to snap the photo.
Growing up, Webb always had a love for horses and horseback riding, and after being introduced to Standardbreds and the harness racing world, she jumped in with both feet and got involved in many aspects of the industry.
She started out getting her groom’s license and working for Charlie Miles. Following that, she became the track photographer at Exhibition Park, and has also been the proud owner of retired Standardbred mare JFJS Smilincowgirl for several years.
“I still just own one horse, JFJS Smilincowgirl. She is eight years old now. She is a Standardbred who never made it to the races due to an early injury and she is my 'heart horse.' I ride her and do lessons with her. She is a big girl with lots of attitude but can be very gentle when I need her to be.”
Webb explained that she has also tested JSJF Smilincowgirl’s ability to do therapeutic work with people who are struggling mentally or physically.
“She has been a blessing to many who have just needed her; she has helped some after the loss of a family member and some with disabilities. She knows and understands them and will stand for hours just to be rubbed," explained Webb. “A day with my horse is never a wasted day, that is for sure. I feel very blessed to have this girl and blessed to be able to share her with others.”
Along with taking care of JFJS Smilincowgirl, Webb also works full time as a Brokerage Rater for UPS, and has been travelling around the Maritimes this summer to watch four-year-old pacing colt Little Manny, who her boyfriend is part owner of.
“My boyfriend is still part owner of Little Manny, who is currently racing, and thankfully things have opened up so we can travel to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. I have been travelling with him and taking photos when he races," she explained. “It has been nice to see people back at the tracks and watching racing, as last year it was so weird not having many people there. It’s also nice not having to wear your mask everywhere, so that is a good change too.”
Webb has contributed to the Heart of Harness Racing calendar for a number of years. Her unique photos, representing the east coast on numerous occasions, have been featured in the calendar in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and now 2021.