New equine exhibit takes the reins at Hall of Fame
Amid all of the equine-related items on display at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Sandy Hawley could not help but be reminded of his glory days of thoroughbred racing.
“I had an opportunity to have a half-decent career,” said Hawley, one of the world’s finest jockeys, in an understated manner. “I was in the right place at the right time so many times. And to be able to come through here and see some of the pictures ... I had an opportunity to ride in a few Queen’s Plates and luckily to be able to win four of them ... to see some of the pictures brings back fond memories for sure.”
Hawley was one of a handful of HOF members on hand Wednesday morning to celebrate the official opening of the Horses in Sport exhibit at the venue at Canada Olympic Park, honouring not just the human competitors, but the four-legged ones as well.
Included in the festivities were a couple of show-jumping greats, Jim Elder and Tom Gayford, as well as the grand dame of the sport here in Calgary, Spruce Meadows founder Marg Southern.
For each of these individuals, this exhibit not only brings back special moments, but it affirms the importance of horse-related games in this country.
“It’s just such an honour for the horse and for any of us who are involved with the horse,” said Southern, who with her husband Ron was inducted into the hall in 2006.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s racing or chuckwagons or show jumping, we’re just really honoured that this facility, which honours all sport, has taken Spruce Meadows on and the Stampede and all of these athletes who have come from around Canada.”
The displays, housed in the Mary Simpson Ride Gallery, celebrate myriad equine disciplines, including polo, English riding and side saddle and major sporting events such as the Spruce Meadows tournaments, the Calgary Stampede and the Western Supreme.
As well, two horses are honoured: Northern Dancer and Big Ben.
Elder and Gayford, both members of Canada’s gold-medal team win at the 1968 Olympic Games, were happy to share in the occasion.
“We feel really fortunate,” said Elder, 83. “We’ve always thought of ourselves as athletes and we certainly know our horses are athletes. To have an exhibit is fantastic for us and our whole sport.
“When you see some of your riding clothes and some of the pictures and videos, it certainly does (bring back memories). But our minds are still pretty good, so we still have some pretty good memories in our own minds.” The 88-year-old Gayford agrees. “A lot of memories, just about tears in your eyes when you look at a few things,” Gayford said. “I’ve been around a little longer that a lot of them and there are many names that I remember that a lot of people don’t remember.
“It’s a great feeling to be part of it. We’ve been with the sport for a long time and competed all over the world. The recognition is amazing now and the work that has gone into this display, as Jimmy said, you just wouldn’t believe that it would be done for the horse industry. We’re very pleased to be recognized by Canada for our work.”
On display are saddles and reins, medals and trophies, a full-sized horse skeleton and Tom Glass’ chuckwagon from the 1930s, as well as an interactive video featuring Southern and Ian Millar.
“This is my first time to Calgary to see the sports Hall of Fame facility and I really have to commend whoever was involved with putting this together — absolutely amazing job,” said Hawley, 68, a Hall of Fame member since 1998.