July 1 was a holiday our people looked forward to.
I watched my dad, Billy McLeod, as he trained his two racehorses, Big Red and Blondie.
My dad had one young man, Hank Charters, as his Jockey.
He was healthy and strong, but light. Hank trained with the horses as often as he could. The training would take place in a field behind the corrals at the Manuel homestead that the men made into a racetrack.
Of course several people were involved with the training. Clement, who had a stop watch, was the timer.
The race horses had to have special grains, with oats and vitamins in their daily diet.
The grooming of the horses, such as their daily brushing down, was done by another hired hand.
I remember so well the horse barn, and the little creek which ran closeby. There were small willow trees along the creekside, when we watered the horses, we used to enjoy the rippling sound of the cool waters as they flowed gently over the little rocks, especially in the very hot summers.
My dad would use the telephone at the Douglas Lake store to phone the people in Kamloops about the dates and times of the races.
He also made arrangements for stalls where Big Red and Blondie would be taken care of.
Then he made plans for our camp, too. The campsite was by the highway that led to the race tracks. The raceway was across the river from the Kamloops Indian residential school.
All this had to be done sometimes one month before the horseraces.
So many things had to be done, like packing tents and personal items like towels, bar soap and blankets.
One thing we did not pack was cooking utensils, as we ate well at the race tracks.
My brother Clement, my sister-in-law Elizabeth, Sera, Ronnie, and I would travel in our old Chevy.
Dad, Clarence and a hired hand would ride in a buggy with the tents and other supplies, over the mountains by Glimpse Lake to the campsite.
It was a lot of work, but we had fun.
Then came the day of the races. We all got into our car and drove to the race tracks. My dad was already there.
Sera, Ronnie, William, and I were in the crowd. When the bugle sounded, it meant everyone who was in the race had to be in line. Oh my, how exciting when the race was on!
We cheered for Hank as he rode Big Red, he was leaning right up close to Big Red’s ears. We could almost hear Hank tell Big Red, ‘Come on Buddy, we can do it, we’re winners.’ And sure enough, Hank and Big Red did win that race. Blondie the Big Sorrel won races too. My dad and Hank split the purse.
So many wonderful happy memories of those times.
Psalm 45:4 “And in your majesty ride prosperously because of Truth and meekness and righteousness.”
