It’s no secret that we do everything for a reason. Our behaviour just about always ­fulfills some need or desire. So if that’s the case, why do we play the ponies? What do we get out of it?

Who needs the mall?

Few ­horses have touched a track as many times as Kendal Python. This infamous trooper has 491 starts under his 14-year old belt. Now, he’s within weeks of hanging up his well-worn harness.

Certains pourraient être portés à dire que le Père Noël et moi nous ressemblons (à cause de notre rondeur joyeuse), mais j’ai souvent souhaité lui ressembler autrement, – avoir son talent p

Some might say that Santa Claus and I have just one similarity (our jolly roundness), but I’ve often wished for an additional likeness -- I’d love to have the gift of giving.

Blottis bien au chaud dans leurs petits lits,
Des trotteurs dansaient dans la tête des enfants endormis;
Maman et moi, dans nos chemises de nuit,
Venions à peine de souffler la bougie…

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of trotters danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Thanks to an increased handle, a growing race meet and now the potential introduction of a new racetrack, Saskatchewan harness racing is flourishing. With any luck, it will keep up the trend.

It’s perfectly ordinary to have an undefeated streak. It’s perfectly unordinary, on the other hand, to start that streak at five, having never raced, as a gelding with a rock-bottom price tag.