Behind the Gate

change, according to Mr. Craig, came when they began racing the whole mile. There is always somebody on the move and if you don't move early, you get caught in. Today's horses must be con- ditioned to race the whole mile. Another change is that years ago we raced horses that would barely be safe to jog. Now it is different because these types of horses are excluded by the judges in the name of safety.

Like many horsemen, Bob liked the chal— lenge of seeing colts and fillies develop. He also liked to take a horse with prob— lems and work to eliminate the problems. These horses are commonly referred to as “projects” and Bob was known to wel— come them as a challenge. He would patiently make change after change until the “project” or he was conquered. He suggested, “All horses need the very best of care just as our children do. You only get out of a horse what you put in and there are no shortcuts."

This blacksmith credited the late Jack Gallant for getting him into the shoeing industry. Back in 1959, he encouraged Bob to learn how to make shoes. He also emphasized the importance of being pre- cise and accurate in shoeing a horse. Older brother Walter and Claude O'Brien were also instrumental in Bob's education

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BobgCraig

and progress as a novice blacksmith. He was still learning and would continue to learn new concepts in his trade until his retirement in 2007.

He remembered Lem Neill as one of the true horsemen on the Island from our past. He also spoke highly of James MacGregor, “Roach was one of the best horsemen I have ever seen. He could drive a horse and he could train a horse. When he put a horse on the track, it looked like a show horse.” There were other horsemen that he respected but these two topped his list.

Bob once bought Scarlet Eve, a seven— year—old trotter. In her first start for her new owner, she won the Andrew Perry Memorial Trot in Summerside. He took pride in winning this particular race; he had done it five times with three different trotters. Scarlet Eve made a break in her next start and finished last. Bob‘s "project."

She was

Included in Bob Craig’s legacy is the fact that he was an excellent and patient mentor to promising blacksmiths like Bobby MacDougall, Ernie MacDonald, Allie Smith and Mike Campbell.

“All horses need the very best of cure just us our Children do. You only get out of a horse what you put in

and there are no shortcuts.”

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