Page 10 - June 2007 The Game

10 The Game, June 2007
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Walking Comfortably in Leather
Almost everyone has experienced foot pain at one point or another. Either a wrong pair of shoes or extended periods of standing or “hot”walking can cause pain. If your feet hurt, your whole demeanor changes. Your only focus is to stop the pain by sitting down or taking off those ghastly high heels or cowboy boots.
In walks John McTague. He is comfortable in his shoes because not only does he know how to fashion a pair of genuine leather boots by hand, he also has the skill to fit custom orthotics into them.
John was born in East General Hospital in Toronto but when asked he’ll tell you laughingly that he was born at the racetrack. His mother Betty was a worker in the kitchen at Greenwood racetrack in the 1960’s. John’s father, Ed Wharton, was a trainer whose home base was Toronto while travelling a circuit of racetracks in South Carolina and Michigan.
When John was eleven, Ed passed away after a training accident at his farm which left his mother himself and his younger sister to fend for themselves.
At age fifteen, John began working at the racetrack, mucking stalls for Normie Bowles before heading off to school. He liked the action at the racetrack and within a year had quit school to work at the track full time. Working for Danny Edwards, John spent many summers in Fort Erie ponying or exercises horses as well as grooming.
John McTague with his 4-year-old pony, a retired thoroughbred from Fort Erie named Forty.
In the meantime, his mother Betty had met and married jockey Hugo Dittfach which was about the same time John’s younger sister, Mini McTague began her career as a jockey.
In 1994, the year Mini became leading apprentice at the Fort, John had moved to the Woodbine dorm and worked for various trainers before attending night school in 1996 to achieve his highschool diploma. From there he studied Microbiology for a year at Centennial College and transferred to the University of Toronto to study Podiatry, the field in which his mother Betty now works.
In an effort to gain first hand knowledge in his new field John travelled to the US to work and study at various universities and clinics. He advanced his skill in gate analysis (watching people walk) as well as the making of orthotics and orthopedic
shoes. While in Texas he met Dave Ellington, a down to earth fellow from a rich oil family who happened to be a third generation boot maker. Dave taught John the skill and passion of working with leather.
Now back at Woodbine full-time, John’s myriad of talents keeps him busy.
After ponying for Albert Trudell in the morning, John visits the jocks room to see if there is any leather that needs repairing for the riders. He also caters to the exercise riders by tolling and repairing chaps, boots, vest covers and anything else leather.
“I pick-up and drop-off boots for the riders in the room. I do repairs. I’ll fix anything leather.” says John with the passion of his work prevalent in his expression.
He continues to build orthotics one day a week at the clinic with his mother however with his leather business beginning to take off, he is finding fewer hours in the day to fit everything in.
“The leatherwork is something I like doing,” explaining that he works from a shed which he has converted to a workshop outside of his R.V. at Indian Line Campground, located minutes from Woodbine. “I am outside with my dog Hershey (an almost completely brown Jack Russell) working in the shed. Its great.”
John is hoping that his leather business will continue to grow to allow him to make a living doing what he loves, “I like it at the track. Of all the other things I do, I just like it at the track. I don’t gamble and I don’t get sour because I am doing something that I like doing.”
Farm Managers and CARD Golf Together
The Thoroughbred Farm Managers of Ontario have once again partnered up with CARD for their 4th Annual Charity Golf Classic in support of CARD, the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled.
Money raised from the event will go directly to CARD whose mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities through quality therapeutic riding programs.
CARD has been in operation for close to 40 years and the increase of the quality of life for its many riders over the years is testament to the longevity of the program
Under the supervision of specially trained physio- therapists, skilled equestrian staff, and dedicated vol- unteers, riders gain greater physical, cognitive, psy- chological and social skills. Riders are introduced to therapeutic riding with lifelong benefits including, increased confidence and self esteem, improved bal-
ance and coordination, thus providing them with a better quality of life.
This year’s tournament is scheduled for Monday, August 27 at Kleinburg Golf Club at a cost of $150 per player or $50 for dinner only. Your golfing pack- age includes green fees with a shared power cart, a putting contest, course competitions, dinner and prizes as well as a chance to bid on fantastic items in the silent auction.
A fabulous way to enjoy a day of golf with your clients, friends, family and associates while supporting CARD.
Registration begins at 11:30am with a shotgun start at 12:30pm. To book your spot visit www.card.ca and print off the entry form located under EVENTS and fax or mail to CARD. For additional information call Lynn at 416-667-8600 ext. 80 or Dan Steeves at dan@woodlandsfarm.com.
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