Wendell Smith Passes

A true down to earth Hero. Not the kind who wore a cape and caught bullets in his teeth, but a real life hero who lived his life as an example of passion, & kindness, & generosity.

Wendell was the first at the track to take a chance on me; he gave me my first paying job and he let me jog my first horse. I'll never forget the thrill of holding those lines when that horse first swung into the pace, with Wendell seated there on the bar next to me, smiling & encouraging and praising my efforts; he looked almost as excited for me as I was to be doing it, and that made the experience even more memorable.

I'd bet that the people Wendell helped in the backstretch numbers well into the hundreds; he was always willing to teach anyone with an interest in the horses or the sport. Wendell took a lot of green grooms under his wing and made them into good ones. Wendell was always willing to give young hot hands a chance between the wheels, even over the more experienced drivers. A lot of people Wendell helped along the way went on to become succesful horsemen, and they all owe him some measure of gratitude.

Wendell Smith was a rescuer at heart. Innately compassionate and non-judgemental, he would not look the other way when someone was in need. I recall one instance when Wendell gave away his own boots to a fellow horseman who had fallen on some hard times; and how, at every Christmas dinner, Wendell & Betty's table was crowded with beloved strays.

Wendell truly loved horses; he could not pass up a horse that wasn't right. No matter who else may have tried and failed, Wendell would take that horse and work at it until he had it figured out. Many of Wendell's "projects" were able to return to the races after some of his loving care.

Wendell was a good husband and a strong father as well as an outspoken advocate for horsemen and harness racing. His eyes always twinkled with merriment and sometimes a little mischief. His laugh was infectious and he was always ready with an anecdote for any situation. I do not understand how that enormous heart fit inside his chest as Wendell was not a big man. He was, however, someone to look up to and to admire.

By his own example, I celebrate Wendell's life.

Leah Smith

Wendell = real life HERO.

Wendell was the first one to give me a shot at a paying job on the track, the first one to let me jog a horse, and the first one to offer words of encouragement to ANYone who needed them. I would bet anything that the people he helped start out and the people to whom he lent a hand over the years would numbers into the hundreds & hundreds. Be it the greenhorn grooms or the young hot hands striving to become drivers, Wendell would willingly give ANYbody a shot, and he celebrated their successes. A good many of those people Wendell helped went on to be successful horsemen & women; each of them owe a debt of gratitude to that man.

Wendell was a great dad, a loving husband, and a kind, generous soul; his eyes twinkled with merriment always & his smile was positively infectious.

His stable was small, it's true, but his horses lacked for nothing and Wendell spared no time, expense, or effort for their care. Wendell could not resist the challenge of a horse that wasn't right; he took on many a horse that other trainers couldn't or wouldn't take the time to figure out, and most of those horses were able to go back to the races. He also cared deeply about where the horses would go after retiring from the track and he worked hard to place them in happy homes - no meat truck for his horses. Wendell didn't just like horses, he loved them through & through.

Wendell Smith personified all that is good in a Horseman; he really was someone to emulate. I know I'm going to miss him very much, and I know I won't be alone.

My condolences to the entire Smith family. During my BC days at Fraser, Wendell was a good friend and summers spent at the top of the hill shed row at Sandown were indeed good times. I am certain he will be driving winners when he isn't looking down watching over his friends and family.

Jake Davidson, Minnedosa, Mb.

With great sadness my family and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Wendell Smith. Wendell introduced me to the sport of harness racing and helped me build a foundation which led me to where I am today. His passion for our sport; his respect for the utmost care of his horses; and the orderly and clean fashion in which he kept his stable area true exemplifications of what a real horseman should be. Wendell certainly encompassed the criteria. Wendell loved the sport of harness racing and was a strong voice for horsemen. He was a man who would stand up and speak. He will be missed. Rest in peace Wendell. And thank you. Lance.