Hoss Talk

December 31, 1998

Stories From '98 Feel Good File

Before we ring in 1999 let's revisit a few stories from the last few years.

Now there is a chance you may have noticed many of the personalities written about in this column have at least one common denominator. Despite their ages or sizes, all have shown that with a courageous heart, plenty of character and determination, there were no goals beyond their wildest dreams.

Manny Fuentes' story was written with the hope another child would not have to deal with what he and parents, jockey Frank Fuentes and wife Tammy, had to face for three years.

Manny was born with an inner-ear problem and conductive loss in both ears. "We had taken him to four or five doctors. All told us that Manny was a slow child," said Tammy.

The family was frustrated. They assumed with four doctors examining their child, their diagnoses would be correct.

One day the youngster appeared to solve the problem himself. "When we would talk, he would stand with his ear in your mouth in order for him to hear you properly," recalls Tammy.

They took him to a Langley clinic where an audiology test was performed. The results revealed his problem and he was fitted with two hearing aids.

"Manny attends Blacklock Elementary School in Langley and is right on schedule. He is in Grade 1 and is also taking up martial arts. As for his hearing, nothing will change, but his life is as normal as any six-year-old," said Frank.

In 1985 former Hastings Park trainer Cathy Dumaresq was left paralyzed from the waist down. The accident occurred when she was thrown to the ground exercising a horse. Rather than give up Dumaresq continued with her dream of riding. With her horse, Union Doc, and Casey, a multi-talented border collie, Dumaresq continues to lead a productive life. In October, she was named Langley's 1998 Woman of the Year.

These days, Union Doc was high point amateur and senior trail Lower Mainland title-winner recently. "I just gave Union a rest. It's slow now but Casey and I still groom a few horses," said Dumaresq.

At age 18, Casie Coleman's work ethic left her with one of the biggest fan clubs at Fraser Downs.

At 16, Coleman received her probationary trainers' licence, but admits ago her classes at Lord Tweedsmuir High School in Cloverdale were not going well.

"She was never a problem child," said Phil Coleman. "We knew how much she loved horses and told her school comes first and the horses second."

It was the right wakeup call. She will graduate next month with a B average. Recently, Coleman received her A driver's licence. That makes her eligible to train horses for outside owners. They are all special people going after their dreams, and also helping to make this world a better place to live. Happy New Year.

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com