Erwin Andrew W?

.llugic Pic/e. Hurling/only l’el. Raised limo/ions and jus/fi'iiz'u.

There is a general tradition among horsev men that the “special" horse always gets the first stall as you enter the barn. Erwin loyed and respected all of his horses but there was no question as to what horse would get that stall during Raised lz‘molz'ons' tenure. (Ilark Smith sent this talented and durable three—year-old from Ontario to co—owners lirwin. Brian and Bill. and Raised [Slim/ions went on to win St) races in the Maritimes. He was Erwins all—time fayourite horse.

Always amicable. lirwin‘s life reyolyed around people — his family. co—workers. friends. acquaintances. and eyen strangers. His son. Brian explained. "What dad enjoyed most about harness racing was the fact that it enabled him to meet all kinds of people. He loyed an afternoon or night at the races because it gaye him an opportunity to meet and talk to people."

Supporting his brother's comments. Bill elaborated. “Dad was a fan first: he was a huge fan of harness racing; he loyed to attend and watch the races and talk to the other fans. You would find him at the rail with the other die~hard railbirds or on the apron or under the grandstand talking to the other hardcore fans You wouldnt find him in the grandstand or in the clul» house." Bill also explained that in earlier times when his dad was actiyely inyolyed in the breeding aspect of harness racing.

50

i Behind the Gate

he deyeloped friendships in the

Maritimes that lasted a lifetime.

This fan of the game did not appreciate the bureaucracy of the horse industry. especially people with their own agen— das. At times he became frustrated with some of the things the breeders or the racing commission were doing. Bill yer— ified. "Dad loyed the sport but couldn't understand why people didn‘t want to moye things ahead. Also. he had little time for the naysayers or those who always undermined or knocked the sport. l)ad loyed to explain the nuances of harness racing to complete strangers at the track."

lirwin liyed a dream when he realized his family retained a strong inyolyement with the sport and industry of harness racing. lle liyed his dreams through family inyolyement. llis family‘s participation was more important to him than winning He was also may proud of the creation of Meridian l’arms and the direction it was taking under the keen and watchful eyes of Bill and Brian.

Harness racing is a sport that spans inyolycment ranging from complete hands—on participation on the track or in the barns. to simple enjoyment as an obserying fan. In his time. lirwin experir enced both types of inyolyement, [n his earlier years as a hobby horseman. he was \‘et'y actiye with jogging horses. backstretch duties and the breeding corn—

ponent. He used to trayel extensiyely