The Huron Expositor, 1987-11-25, Page 22Harness racing. 'brings enjoyment to Huron County
BY NEIL CORBEVI
Picking a sport to be the favorite in Huron
County would bea tough job. There are
those who would argue for golf, broomball,
hockey, baseball, or any of the others. But
one sport that would be right up there in the.
favorites is horse racing.
Huron County, and Southwestern Ontario
in general, is unique across Canada for its
massive interest in horses and harness rac-
ing. Just as there are people from Seaforth
who have gone on to pursue other sports at a
highly competitive level or for a career,
there are people' in the Seaforth area who
make a living trite horse racing indust'.
Andlthere are a large number of people who
compete for a hobby.
Bill Bennett is one individual who earns
his living at least partially through harness
racing. This past year has not been one of
his best because his good horses are getting
old and sore and he is working with new
stock.
Mr. Bennett and his wife Betty got into
horse racing about 28 years ago, and like
most people they started out as hobbyists.
"The way things have been going it's still
a hobby," he complains.
`But Mr. Bennett has some young horses
die hopesaregoing_to get him back on track
' soon. One two-year-old he has is trained
pretty well now and will likely be ready next
spring.. He has another horse named Cici
Marie that belongs to his daughter, which he
hopes to get in the Ontario Sire Stakes next
year.
Altogether the Bennetts own six horses,
four of which they keep at the Seaforth Turf
Club stalls. The horses take up a lot of their
time even when they are not being raced.
They each have to be exercised on a regular
basis by jogging them about five or six miles'
per day around the track. Afterwards they
have to give them a sponge bath and do
anything else to take care of them.
Aside from the time the Bennetts put into
taking care of their horses, there is a serious
financial commitment. Mr. Bennett
estimates he spends about $1,500 per year
per horse for upkeep. People who have to
have their horses trained face a lothigher
expense, but the Bennetts are fortunate they
can train their own animals. Mr. Bennett
says it is more enjoyable when you train
your own horses and are involved in the suc-
cess or failure of your investment.
The Bennetts have done a lot of racing in
their time in this sport. Last year they were
out four nights a week racing in London,
Woodstock, Elmira, Hanover and other
tracks. This winter they will be doing a lot of
racing in London.
For all their racing the Bennetts have had
a number of good horses. Joellas Knight is
one steady mare they had that they picked
up for $5,000, and who made them about
$25,000. She is going to be bred this year.
Vellas Keyones is another horse that did
well for them, picking up $8,900 m one year.
They got Vellas Keyones on December 7,
1986, and she won her first start for them
and continued m the same form to win $1,500
the first month.
Mr. Bennett says he has had his sharge of
horses that have done well in their class.
-
The average horse races. about 40 times
per year and out of that the Bennetts won 22
races last year, but only 16 this year
because of their having to replace older
stock.
"We've won a lot of races around here but
I wouldn't say we're successful," says Mr.
' Bennett when asked how he thinks he's done
at horse racing. "We've never had anything
good enough for Mohawk or Greenwood
where the minimum purse is $5,200.
Hopefully someday we will."
Mr. Bennett got started in racing when he
and Jack McLlwain bought a brood mare
named Flower Brook. They kept her at Gor-
don Pullman's, and Mr. Pullman suggested
instead of just leaving her dormant they
should throw a harness on her. They gave it
a try and Mr. Pullman helped out with
equipment, and after a while Mr. Bennett
was on his own. •
When he started out Mr. Bennett did all
his own driving in the sulky races. Now he
hires drivers to race for him.
"You're crazy not to let those guys drive,"
he says. "They're at it every day. You don't
pull a guy off the street to drive a race car.
I'd rather leave it to them, they're better at
it.
There are a number of women drivers in
sulky racing, but Mrs. Bennett has never
driven in a race. She says she just never had
"You've got to be devoted or crazy."
the interest, She does help out with other
things like harnessing, and she dubs herself
the go'pher.
• "You've got to be crazy or devoted," says
Mr. Bennett remembering a trip he and his
wife took to London three years ago to race.
They left London on a Saturday to head back
to Seaforth and got. caught in • an intense
storm. They followed a'snow plow, but even
_it-went_in_the ditch.and they_hadio_waitlor
another plow to show up.. It took them six
and a half hours to get to Mitchell where
they finally ended up storm -stayed at Alf
Moore's. They were there Saturday, Sunday
and Monday before the storm let up, and
when they went to leave they almost had to
dig to find the trailer.
There are a lot of other people in the
Seaforth area. who fit' in the horse crazy or
devoted category besides the Bennetts.
• Gordon Pullman has been involved 'with
horse racing for•most of his life, and for the
past few years has done' nothing other than
racing,. training and. breeding horses for
living
Recently Mr. Pullman has been,' selling
horses, but he. has been involved in'stan-
dardbred racing since he was 13 -years -old.
He is another man who says "I used to make
a living at it but I don't know if I am now."
"When, I started people just raced at
,fairs," says Mr. Pullman. "It was only in
the late 50s that people really started to
make a living at it."
It was in 1961-62 Mr. Pullman became
seriously involved in thoroughbred racing
as a career. Now he has also taken a part
time job driving a school bus. He used to
' race in places like Buffalo and -New York,
but now the purses at the bigger Canadian
tracks are attractive too. The purse at the
Toronto Jockey Club is as good a purse as
any in North America.
Mr. Pullman has seen a lot in horse rac-
ing. He has seen world records set by
Butler, and another by Bret Hanover in Lex-
ington. He has raised some good horses such
as B.J. Pull who set a personal record of
1:59 in Toronto, as well the leading two-
year-old • colt in Ontario, Springer, and
Shauna who was the leading dash winner in
New York with' 10 wins out of 11.
Mr. Pullman used to be occupied full time
by training six or seven.horses per day, but
in the last few years he has taken to
breeding. Not many people just breed,' as it
cuts back on the amount of racing that is
done. There is a lot of time and patience in-
volved in dealing with colts and a lot of peo-
ple who race don't want to have to take that
time. They would rather buy horses that are
ready to race.
At one time Mr. Pullman had •22 horses,
but he has cutback a lot and now has five -
two two -year-olds, two yearlings,, and a
brood mare. He will be getting no more colts
now until spring. '
Some other men whoare involved strictly
in racing are Gary Bennett and Dale Ken-
nedy who own a horse together, and also
own a second one with Jim Henderson and
Allan Kennedy.
Unfortunately for these partnerships none
of these horses are running. The first one
has. calcium on the ankle, and the second
oneis siinply_too.slo_w H ever,_they_dorun_
the second one every two or three weeks on
cheap claimers. The other horse cost them
$15,000 and they are going to give it a try in
the spring. •
Dale Kennedy does the training for both of
the horses, as well as the trucking from race
to barn, and the driving in the races. The
other partners' commitment is strictly
financial.
The group won twice last summer in Clin-
ton, but they are in it mainly as a hobby.
All the people involved in harness racing
acknowledge it is a good money making in-
dustry in Ontario, and in Huron County. The
races bring a lot of people into the area who
spend money on food, gas, . etc. The
horsemen themselves generate cash flow as
they pay blacksmiths, vets, and feed -
farmers to name a few. And the government
makes millions from the percentage they
take of the betting profits.
There was a time when Seaforth was a
real hub of all this economic activity, and
once claimed to . have the best half -mile
track in Ontario. There are still a lot of
horse 'fanatics in the area.
THE HURON EXPQSITOR,,;DEC8MBER,2, 1987 ...,..3A
CARING FOR HIS STOCK - After he gives his horse a little e:iercise Bill Bennett paints
on some heat. Corbett • hoto
THROWING HARNESS - Mr. and Mrs. Bennett hook up a horse up for a little excercise.
This is part of a daily routine they go through to excercise their horses and get this two-
year-old ready for competition this spring. Corbett photo. •
WINNING HORSE - Joellas Knight was a winning horse for the Bennetts for a number
of years. She is shown in the above photos taken at Hanover Raceway May 30, 1987
when she got her third season win. Her time was 2:06 on the 1 mile track. PiCtured with
her in the bottom photograph are Karen Bennett, William Bennett, Betty Bennett, and
driver Paul Walker.
Crirne stop
HURON COUNTY - You've probably
seen it on your television, perhaps you've
read about it in a daily newspaper, well get
ready, it's coming to Huron County.
A different approach has recently been
taken in an attempt to solve crimes and cut
down on the amount of criminal activity in
communities. This approach involves
telephone rails from conlmunity residents
to police officers. In short, the program is
Crime Stoppers.
"We're doing it for our communities, We
want to make them safer," explained OPP
Constable Jeff Sabin during an informa-
Sian meting on November 18.
WHAT IS CRIME STOPPERS'
According to a pamphlet on Crime Stop-
pers, it is a "non-profit program relying on
eo-operationbetween the police force,
new media and 'members of your coni -
'nullity. Crime Stoppers encourages peo-
ple to call the police with information to
solve any serious mines already eommit-
ted, those about to occur and/or the
whereabouts of wanted persons."
One of the five guest speakers during The
evening was Murray Smart, Chairman of
the °Wen Sound, Grey Bruce Crime Stop-
per program, who told the audience that
the, three components are vital to the
program.
"The police, media and community
Must work together...without co-
operation, the program wouldn't work,"
he said.
If a person has information that fits the
above criteria, Crime Stoppers offers
them a way to pass the inforrnaion onto.
the police, never having to identify
themselves.
A toll free number is usually made
avail"able for callers'. When they phone,
they are assigned a code number which
will be used to identify themselves in.'
future dealings with Crime Stopper
pers coming
personnel.
"You need the 1.800 (toll free) number
for people who are calling from out -lying
areas. You want the people to remain
anonymous and not have to pay," said Mr;
Smart, whose Crime Stoppers program
does have a toll free number. "In Huron
County you have a wide geographic area
so a toll free Watts number would be
great."
Another feature of the program is that a
cash reward may be awarded to the caller.
"Based on the value of information
received, the caller may get up to $1,000
with the Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers pro-
gram,".said Mr. Smart.
Crime Stoppers is operated by a group of
citizens who make up the board of direc-
tors. When the Huron County program
starts, it is hoped the board members will
number 15.
"We have 11 potential board members
now," said Mr. Sabin, police co-ordinator.
These members have been reconlmend-
ed by people of the community, have had
theprOam explained to them, are "in
good standing with the continuality" and
are a general cross section of
communities.
FUNDING
Crime Stoppers' is incorporated as a
charitable organization, therefore they
must solicit the money they require for
their operation, including the money for
rewards.
"Our board of directors is divided into
committess," said Mr. Smart. "One com-
mittee deals with'advertisbig then there's
public relations, then guidelines as well as
fund raising,"
As an example of what the fund raising
committee does, Mr. Smart told of the Fly-
ing Fathers hockey game they put on with
the co-operation of another charity.
The advertising committee looks after
to Huron
brochures, business cards, posters and
hats (which are being used as a fund rais-
ing project).
"We don't use tax dollars...donations are
used," Mr. . Smart explained. "We .try to
get everything donated.
• "The posters were donated by a printer
and the newspapers donate space to run
the Crime of the Week."
The guidelines committee sets the
amount which should be handed out as
rewards.
WHO CALLS
It has been discovered that there is a
6040 split between cruninal callers and
concerned citizens. Sixty per cent of the in-
formers are of the criminal type while 40
per cent are average people.
"Forty per cent are average citizens
who don't want to get involved and don't
sSaidtthe criminal coming after them,"
Mr. Smart. "They could be mothers
Who are concerned about drug pushing."
WHO ANSWERS
Using the Grey Bruce Crinie Stoppers
program as an example once again, Dave
Osborne, advisor to the board of directors
and also a member of the OPP in-
vestigating squad, said the phones are
manned duringoffice hours, Monday to
Friday.
The person the caller gets is a police
officer.
PROGRAM IS SPREADING
Another speaker was Howard Wright,
‘co-ordinator of the province's OPP Crime
Stoppers. He told the audience that each of
the OPP districts should have a Crime
Stoppers program in itby the summer of
1988,
"OPP involvement (in Crime Stoppers)
started one year ago this month," he said,
"Each of the 16 district's should have a pro-
gram- by suint "mer.
Turn to page 4A
BILL BENNETT gives his two-year-old a workout by jogging him for five or six miles.
Corbett photo. •
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
If you're organizing a non-profit event of Interest;to other Seaforth area residents, phone the
recreation office at 527.0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240, or mail the information to Communi-
ty Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 69. Seaforth, Ontario, NOK iWO well in advance of the
scheduled date. Space for the Community Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor
Wed., Dec. 2
1:00-3:00 p.m, Moms' and Tots' Skating
1:30.4:00 p.m. • Senior Shuffleboard
4:30.5:30 p.m. - Tween Ringette
5:30=6:30 p.m. - Centenaire Practice •
7:30-9:00 p.m. - Minor Broomball
7:30-9:30 p.m. - Wood Carving at S.D.H.S.
8:00.10:O0,p.m. - Mixed Adult Volleyball at
S.D.H.S.
9:00.11:00 p.m. - Ladies' Broomball
Thurs., Dec. 3
4:30.5:30 p.m. - Novice Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Bantam Practice
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Minor Broomball
7:30-12:30 p.m. - Men's Broomball
7:30-9:30 p.m. • Men's Basketball at
S.D.H.S.
12:30 p.m. • Senior's Christmas Dinner a1
the Legion.
Fri., Dec. 4
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Senior Houseleague
Practice
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Junior Houseleague
Practice
6:00-7:00 p.m. - Midget Practice
6:30 p.m. Santa Claus Parade - start from
Arena
8:00.11:00 p.m. - Milverton vs. Seahawirs
Sat., Dec. '5
8:30 a m. - Oilers VS. Bruins
9:30 a m - Canadians vs. North Stars
10:30 a.m. • Whalers vs. Jett
11:30 a.m. - Flyers vs. Leafs
12:30 p.rn. - Mites Practice
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Story Hour at the Library
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Petite, Novice, Barmy
• Ringette
2:304:00 p.m. - Public Skating - sponsored
by Reaforth Optimist Club
4:00-5 00 p.rn. • Blyth vs. Novice
5:00''-6:15 p.m• - MIIVerton vs. Atom 1's
6:15-8:00 p.m. - Erma Logan vs. Atom Il's
8:00 p.m. - Harmony Hi•LItes Christmas
Cabaret Show
Sun., Dec: 6
10:00 a.m. - Farm Toy Show
12:00.2:00 p.m. -. Free Public Skating -
sponsored by Agricultural Society
2:30 p.m. - Milverton vs. Seahawks
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Petite Ringette .
6:00-7:00 p.m. - Forest vs. Tweens -
Ringette
7:00-8:00 p.m. - Junior Ringette
8:00 p.m. - Hawks vs. Flyers
9:30 p.m. - Penguins vs. Bruins
Man., Dec. 7
4:30-8:30 p.m. - Figure Skating
7:35.0D..9H.S:30 .p.m. - Wood Refinishing at
Tues., Dec. 8
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Atom Practice
6:30 p.m. - Seaforth Hospital Auxiliary
Potluck Supper and Meeting in the
Hospital Board Rooni. Please bring
own dishes and cutlery.
p.m. - the Seaforth Women's Institute
will hold their Dec. meetin at the
Orange Hall. Potluck supper at 6:30.
Bring dishes and cutlery, also•a
gift for. Family and Children's
Services of Huron County.
6:30-8:00 p.m. - Harriston at Bantams
8:00-10:00 p.m. - Zurich at Midgets
Wed., Dec. 9
1:00-3:00 p.m. • Moms' & Tots' Skating
1:30-4:00 p.m. • Senior Shuffleboard
4:30-5:30 p.rh. - Tween Ringette
5:36-6:36 p.m. - Atom Practice
6:30-7:30 p.m. - Centenaire Practice
7:30-9:00 p.m. - Minor Broomball
7:30-9:30 p.m. - Wood Carving at S.D.H.S.
8:00-10:00 p.m. - Volleyball at S.D.H.S.
9:00:11:00 p.m. Ladies' Broomball