Behind the Gate

but I never owned a really good horse."

Hz‘llw'ew Bonnie was a 14—year—old mare that he raced for eight consecutive years. Lester shared ownership of this mare with Carl Hunter. She had more sentimental than monetary value and was officially retired in 2004. Hillw'ew Bonnie was one of the select few able to boast that she raced until the mandatory age of 14.

I asked Lester why he continued to slug it out in such a demanding industry that often offered little in return. He thought for a while and answered, “You kinda get down on it later in life but I like racing because of the people involved. People like Earl Smith, Paul MacDonald, Garry MacDonald and others who never refused to drive my horses knowing that they might not have much of a chance to win. I have made some lifetime friends in this game."

There were it couple of things from the past Ihat he did miss. He missed Moncton because he really enjoyed tak— ing a horse or two to Moncton for a Saturday card. Lester missed the interac— tion of buying and trading horses with legends like Donnie Rankin, Ed Haley and Frank Daniels. He also had high praise for horsemen like Charlie Willis, James Roach MacGregor, Art Burbine, Joe

Lester; V-(ylhappell

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Arsenault and others; h(')wever, Andrew Perry was the horseman that he respect- ed the most because he was truly a real gentleman.

Ian Moore, D.V.M.. often told the follow- ing story. At age 12 Ian’s mother took him to enjoy the renowned RCMP. Musical Ride at the Raceway.

Summerside The performance took place during a July 1St Dominion Day race pro- gram and Ian liked the Musical Ride and the horses. The next day he spoke to the custodian at his school about his positive experience at the Summerside Raceway. The custodian was Lester Chappell who happened to be an avid and active horse— man who invited Ian to the track. Ian related, “I started helping Lester and spending quite a bit of time around the track with Lester." Ian was living in the Summerside area and shortly after received valuable pointers at the track from capable horsemen like Allison Hook Walsh, Basil Whelan, Ron MacArthur and George Sobey. The initi- ation was successfully completed and the equine industry had its newest recruit. By the way, Ian would go on to become one of the success stories in harness rac- ing. Lester Chappell had high praise for Ian Moore and his accomplishments. That conversation many years ago between a student and his school custo-

“I have made some lifetime friends in Ibis game. ”