Hoss Talk

     The first time Jackie Humber saw Norm, her impression was that this was the guy she want to spend some time with.

     Little did Humber know, to make her desire come true, she would have to overcome many obstacles.

     In 1994, she was introduced to Exhibition Park trainer Ed Thompson, who offered her a groom's job at his stable.

     Humber accepted his offer, and with Thompson as a teacher, she learned well the art of horsemanship.

     Two years later, owner Trend Stables was enlarging its operation and sent Thompson a young horse called Name for Norm to train. Norm was given to Humber to care for. "It was love at first sight. Norm had a twinkle in his eye that looked at you, whenever you spoke to him." said Humber.

     As the years went by, Name for Norm developed into an outstanding racehorse, winning nine races from only 22 starts and $254,945 for his owner.

     During the horse's career, he had only one caretaker and that was Humber. "The only time I wasn't with him was when I had a broken rib and couldn't travel with him. I was with him for all his races but two. My biggest Norm thrill was being with him when he won the $100,000 Joe Gottstein Futurity at Longacres in Seattle." says Humber.

     In 1998, Norm injured a leg during a race. The following year, after returning to training, he reinjured the leg.

     Despite no longer working for Thompson, Humber still loved the horse. "When I heard Norm may be up for sale, I asked Ed (Thompson) how much?" said Humber.

     The asking price was $5,000. Humber bought the horse. With time off for healing, Humber took him to Washington state to stand stallion. There the horse bred three mares in 2000.

     In 2001, she thought about returning Name for Norm to the races, but soon dropped the idea.

     "I had developed ulcers just thinking about putting Norm back in training. The thought of somebody else looking after him was why I got sick." says Humber.

     All this time, the horse's bills continued to mount. She worked at odd jobs to help pay the Norm's expenses.

     "Earlier this year, trainer Juan Lara asked if he could breed Norm to one of his mares. I'm happy to say Norm got her in foal." says Humber.

     It was during April, Humber noticed Norm was running fast and sound at the farm. She called trainer Michael Turner to see if the horse would be OK for training.

     As weeks went by, Humber and Turner's confidence grew.

     Recently, after being away from the races for four years and paying her horse's bills during this time, Name for Norm was entered to race.

     In perhaps one of the most amazing athletic achievements seen anywhere in racing, at the unthinkable age of eight, Name for Norm was giving a chance to pay back Humber for all her sacrifices made for him. He responded by winning the race and $4920. For both, it's a start.

(Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, (new time) 11 a.m., Saturday Citytv.)

     twolski@shaw.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@shaw.ca