Page 19 - NMHBA Spring 2021

Chaplain Winter
by Pete Herrera
It’s early morning on the backside at Ruidoso Downs and at Blane Wood’s barn a man
is praying for the safety and sanctity of the
grooms who work for the veteran horse trainer. Nearby, an onlooker watches the scene
as it unfolds and silently marvels at what he is witnessing.
The chaplain and the cattle baron are about to meet for the first time.
It is a moment in time that ultimately will lead to a deep and enduring friendship with collateral blessings for both men.
“You do this everywhere?” Texan Johnny Trotter asks Chaplain Darrell Winter as
the latter finishes praying and starts to
walk away.
“Yes,” replies Winter. “I’m heading to (trainer) Sleepy’s (Gilbreath) barn right now.”
“We’ve been friends ever since that day,” says Trotter. “My dad was a Methodist preacher, and I grew up in that background. That’s a real important part of my life--that people know about Jesus.”
Getting people to know and embrace Jesus has been the life blood of Winter’s work for the 20 years he has served as chaplain of the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chapel.
“I have an opportunity to touch a lot of people’s lives,” says Chaplain Winter. “Being ready and willing to serve a group of people goes a long way in satisfying something within myself as well.”
Winter’s leadership now extends beyond Ruidoso. He has been president of the national Race Track Chaplaincy of America for the past year and previously served on the organization’s board as its treasurer.
Serving the spiritual needs of the racing community at Ruidoso--from grooms to jockeys to trainers and their families--consumes the majority of Winter’s ministry. But this year, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the widespread havoc it has rendered, Winter has expanded his workload beyond the racetrack. He now makes weekly visits to the local hospital to counsel and pray with patients.
“It started with people in the (racing) industry who were in the hospital and then I was asked
by the administrators if I would do that with patients throughout the hospital,” says Winter.
The pandemic has hit the racing industry hard, leading to fewer workers on the backside and consequently less people attending the weekly services at the track’s chapel.
“That’s why we expanded to the hospital, to have an outreach,” said Chaplain Winter.
That outreach and the help and services
that Winter’s ministry provide has expanded greatly over the years. His year-round schedule includes Sunday services in English and Spanish and bible studies on Tuesdays (for women) and Thursday (for men).
He also established a kids club, where the children of backside workers--grooms, jockeys and trainers--can participate in a variety
of activities while also receiving spiritual instruction. As many as 30 kids are there five days a week for activities that range from field trips to working with robotics.
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