Page 38 - November 2016

The Picov family has maintained an attitude of gratitude for all they’ve been able to achieve and share their success with their community and others.
Restaurant continues to provide full service seven days a week.
“We had to convince the town, the other horse industries, and the politicians that we could put together a gambling facility that was an asset rather than being detrimental to the community,” says Norm’s longtime friend and trainer Joe Tavares of Enniskillen, Ontario, who’s also served as president of Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc.
The track now opens two to three days each week from April through October for training days, and in 2017 will offer 30 days of racing. The calendar also includes a variety of special events to attract, involve, and entertain families with the goal of keeping the children involved as they grow up and have their own families.
The Picov family is no exception. Norm’s wife, Lynda, pitches in, and their two sons, Barry and Andrew, as well as their grandson, Justin, all participate in running Ajax Downs. Their two oldest granddaughters, Alana and Carlie, work during summers, and granddaughter Annika rides in Ontario Equestrian Federation competition.
“Our family’s all involved in it,” Norm says. In fact, rather than engage in hobbies and off- time activities, he says they all sit around the table and talk about business.
BRANCHING OUT
In 1974, Alex and Norm opened Picov’s Horseman Centre in Ajax to fill a few other equestrian needs: tack and equipment, and an indoor arena to house shows. Now, the Picovs could supply the horse, the tack, and a place to use it all. “Tack and equipment were services that weren’t fulfilled anywhere nearby, and we couldn’t find supplies,” says Norm. “It was also a meeting place for horse people.”
Over the years, the complex has served as the venue for countless shows for every breed
of horse and age of exhibitor. At its peak, the facility housed about 100 sales horses. Although the show venue closed down when racing got active, those exhibitors and others continue
to come to the Horseman Centre for their supplies and to rub shoulders with other horse lovers — including Norm. “I work there seven days a week,” he says. “I don’t know what I’d do without it. I love to offer the personal touch. And we have a great staff to help the people. We have staff who have been here 41 years!”
That longevity is in large part a result of Norm’s loyalty. According to current QROOI president Bob Broadstock of Nestleton, Ontario, Norm is loyal to a fault. “His staff are a part of the team, and he’ll support them — and other
horsemen, too — through thick and thin.”
In addition to the Horseman Centre, Norm
continues to match horses to riders looking for a new mount and is actively involved in breeding Quarter Horse racehorses at his breeding facility, Hanover Hill Farm near Port Perry.
GIVING BACK
The Picov family has maintained an attitude of gratitude for all they’ve been able to achieve and shares their success with their community and others. “We like to give back,” Norm says. “We want others to know we appreciate what they’ve done for us.”
As evidence of that, they’ve funded area breakfast programs, supported the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and donated $100,000 to help the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation’s “Image Is Everything” campaign to help buy its first MRI equipment. They’ve also participated as a funding
partner for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, provided resources to a Haiti orphanage, and to date, have put seven youths through college.
In their charitable work, as well as in their business ventures, the Picov family has seen a need and filled it.
36 SPEEDHORSE, November 2016