Page 4 - January 2009 The Game

4 The Game, January 2009
Remembering Eric & Herb
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
by Jeannie Spence
“The day my nal race is run
And win or lose, the sinking sun
Tells me its time to quit the track
And gracefully hang up my tack
I thank the Lord the life I’ve led
Was always near a Thoroughbred.”
The Thoroughbred world lost two important members
horses without complaint. It was his love.
Even this year when his illness was at it’s worst, Eric
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this fall, Eric Garcea and Herb Ollive. They grew up in different places, Eric was born and lived in Albi, which is situated in the mountains of Southern Italy, until his family immigrated to Canada, and settled in Vancouver. Herb
Eric couldn’t have continued without the support of
his family, especially his daughter Cassie, who inherited
her father’s riding skills and stubborn determination; his friends, especially Joe and Carol Walls; and his faithful employee Margie Szigeti. Eric’s strength and courage was amazing and I know he is watching down on his family with love and on his daughter Cassie with pride.
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was born in Calgary and his family moved to a ranch near Stettler, Alberta. Eric struggled and fought courageously
to overcome terminal brain cancer. Herb left us quickly with a massive heart attack. Even though they had different lives, they both were so similar. Both had strong views, and even if you didn’t agree with them, you had to admire their passion for their opinions and their love for a good argument. Eric and Herb loved their families, their friends, and the Thoroughbreds. They will be terribly missed.
Herb Ollive was born in Calgary and spent most of his youth in a ranch near Stettler. His sister, Gayle recalled how she and her older siblings and parents, Mae and Len, knew they had their hands full with him.
My rst memories of Eric were over 35 years ago seeing a young exercise rider on the track, you couldn’t mistake him because he proudly wore the Italian ag on his helmet cover and always had a cigarello in his mouth. Even a stranger could see the joy on his face as he was galloping. He truly loved his job. It took me over a year to realize
that Silvano, Charlie, and Eric, were the same person. He was Silvano to his family, Charlie to his long-time friends (because they thought Silvano was too hard to say) and Eric (his middle name) to his later friends. It was really funny to see when an old friend would appear at the barn and would ask where Charlie or Silvano was, the crew wouldn’t have a clue who they were talking about.
When Herb was two, the family was horror struck as they watched him hang on to a foal’s tail while being dragged across the eld. Would he let go? Never! His stubborn attitude and athletic abilities had many advantages. He became a top junior gymkana rider winning many trophies with his rst two horses, Tiny and Nutmeg, then on to steer riding, and saddle bronc riding. His collection of trophy buckles are a testament to his ability.
As fate would have it, Eric’s parents settled with their
5 children in East Vancouver, which was very close to Hastings Racecourse (then known as Exhibition Park).
It didn’t take Eric long to discover there were horses on the other side of the fence and he would often times skip Church and sneak down to the barns. Eric’s rst job was with B.C.’s Racing Hall of Fame Trainer, Donnie Morison as a hotwalker. Eric decided it would be fun to ride and with his balance and fearlessness, he became one of the top exercise riders at the track. But that wasn’t enough, he decided he would like to be an owner and claimed his rst horse with his friend Alan Payne. Eric still exercised and ponied horses, when he became a trainer. Over the years at the track, Eric had some excellent owners such as Budget Stables, Nick and Pauline Felicella, Harlequin Ranches, Northern Lite Stable with his long time friend Dennis, and Super Stables with his good friend Billy.
Herb was offered a riding contract by hockey icon, Conn Smythe, however unwilling to leave his family or friends he declined the offer.
When Eric served as a director of the HBPA (B.C.), the horsemen knew he would ght for them.
Herb excelled in all aspects of his life. He was a jockey, trainer, agent, steward, and then manager of Canmor Farms, but his greatest pride was his children, Brandon, Tiana, and Kaitlyn.
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Then Eric had to make a hard decision, when he saw that without the slots Hastings was losing days and purses, and with the reluctant approval of his family and friends, he joined his friends, Joe and Carol Walls at Woodbine. Eric spent about a decade at Woodbine before becoming ill. During his illness he continued to exercise and train his
Like Eric, Herb will be watching down on his family, especially his children.
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snuck out on his horse, Long Journey and went to the
track. Eric had to face his angry concerned friends when
he came back but even they couldn’t help seeing the inner satisfaction on his face, he knew he could still do what he loved most and probably realized that would be his last time to gallop on the track.
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At 14, Herb started to ride in the bush for Orville Strandquist, and then at the age of 16 went to ride in Calgary and Edmonton. By age 17, Herb had won the Canadian Derby on Pampa’s Host for Harold Barroby and in 1980 he set a record in Alberta by winning 151 races that season.
His friends and family were an important part of Herb’s life. His long-time friends and past roommates, Delbert Rycroft and Buzz Burke remained close to Herb.
Once the threesome had borrowed Northland Park’s General Manager, Jack Nichols’ Winnebago to go to Grande Prairie to ride. Off they drove and when the diesel tank was running low, they stopped to replenish it. One problem... they lled the water tank instead. When they returned
the vehicle to Jack Nichols, they “accidentally” forgot to mention this small detail. Jack was not a happy camper when he had a shower!
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Anyone wishing to donate to The Ollive Children’s Trust can at the Royal Bank of Canada #02880-5291778
Any Inquiries you may talk to the Trustees Dave Wilson (Hastings Racecourse) B.C., Wayne Ollive (brother) Alberta 403-850-4546
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ORC Policy on Cancellation Fees Clarified
to review the amount of the cancellation fee from time to time. A review has now taken place and the Director has raised the cancellation fee to $300. The previous fee was set 4 years ago and, given the increased costs for transportation, an increase was deemed to be appropriate. It should be noted that the cancellation fee is not intended to cover all costs, but rather to provide a level of compensation. It is not the intention of the compensation to pay out more than what would have been earned if the races had been contested.
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has issued its policy on cancellation fees paid to owners when races are cancelled, and announced an increase in the fee from $250 to $300.
For the past few years the ORC policy has permitted the issuance of compensation to owners of horses in the amount of $250, when racing has been cancelled due to weather or other factors outside of the control of racetrack management. Recently, the ORC reviewed its policy and has now issued a revised Policy Directive.
Other similar matters are before the ORC and will be considered moving forward. A submission under the Rules Amendment Process was made this fall, to permit the disbursement of the purse in the case of a race where the Judges/ Stewards have ruled the race to be a “no contest”.
The Policy provides details on how the cancellation fee is to be applied for and what circumstances under which it will approved. Similarly, the policy provides the Director with the authority
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