Southern Hoofprints

Book excerpt: One-part lively oral history, one-part meticulously researched encyclopaedia, and one-part wild ride, Southern Hoofprints colorfully conveys the story of horse racing in Southern Alberta. And in so doing, it also becomes a fascinating history of the region itself, from the late 1880s through to the present day. From racing’s rough, Wild West beginnings to the vast grandstands of modern times, this regional history of the Sport of Kings has been deeply researched and is delivered in a unique and engaging fashion. With wry humour and occasional pulse-throbbing drama, the reader is treated to an intimate perspective on family traditions of husband and wife owners, the dynasties of multi-generational riders, the spectators, and even the horses themselves. The chronicle of the rise of women riders from the trivialized ‘powder puff’ races to becoming power players on the track, and that of the First Nations people from the early days through to today, make this a completely inclusive history. It tells a distinctly Canadian story and its focus on the Southern Alberta region allows it to paint the picture in vivid detail. With its historical data enriched and enlivened through the human dimension of the oral histories, Southern Hoofprints entertainingly recounts horse-racing’s triumphs, tragedies, and continual reinvention.