Behind the Gate

per cent and take it to the next leyel and

some ney‘er do."

There are important things that we mttst do for racehorses il‘ they are to maximize their potential. [sing the proper leed on a regular hasis is taken lor granted. A horse mttst he physically healthy and sound to perl‘orm well. Regular attention hy an astute larrier is a must. In addition to these requirements this trainer added. "I helieye that a horse has to he mentally and emotionally lit and that is the most

important thing we can do for a horse. It

a horse is mentally lit and l‘eeling good. he will race well when sound. The train- er. driyer. groom and all who work in the stahle contrihute to making a horse men— tally f‘it. If they proyide a positiye enyi— ronment. the horse will he happy and a happy horse has a hetter chance to race well and he sttccessl‘ul.”

Ronnie was asked to deal with his hest moment or experience in harness racing. He responded. "'l'here haye heen many moments and experiences that have

hrought satislaction. l’or example. win—

-fi

ning in 1:353 was a real thrill. 'l'here have heen many happenings that were important to me: however. there were a

couple ol‘ occasions where I had some

success with horses owned hy my lather

and they were yery important to me. llI'l/t'r'eu' lye/[1' was one that l);td owned and it was special to me when he raced well. Dad was an integral part of the Ronnie Matheson Stahle. Something else that was special to me was the lact that

Ronnie Matheson

Dr. Blair Kelly‘s Rir'en'ue (foil/cl l‘inished oil the hoard only once in 2003. He was chosen as l’.li.l.'s Horse of the Year and three—year—old Pacing (Jolt of the Year in 2003’). He was a colt that we deyeloped and we could see in him that we were doing something right."

For a nttmher of years. the (3.1).1). would hold Bahy Races l‘or two—year—old colts and fillies of hoth gaits on a Saturday morning in lune. 'l‘his non-hetting eyent would attract entries and fans from all parts of l’.l{.l. Ronnie's worst moment in harness racing occurred in 2001 dttring the running ol‘ these Bahy Races. It was a sad and unpredictahle incident that could happen any day to any stahle. lie reluctantly recounted that moment. “(Slot/Jr (II/(l l\"e/. one ol‘ our two—year— olds got loose that morning. She ran out ol‘ the ham to the parking lot and hit a parked car. Hysterical. she then ran to the opposite end ol the parking lot and hit another car. She was taken to the .-\tlantic \‘eterinary (Iollege httt had to he humanely pttt down that same afternoon. She was a promising l'illy oltlack Browns that was scheduled to compete in the Bahy Races that morning. It is sad and unfortunate httt the game we love does

sometimes haye its tragic moments."

I asked him il‘ there was one person in his prol‘ession that he knew and respect— ed more than all others. The talented trainers interesting response was. "There is no one person in the Maritimes who sticks ottt in my mind httt there is a num—

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