SHANNON CRUMP - THE SEPTEMBER 2019 CARETAKER OF THE MONTH
At sixty eight, this accomplished lady has done and seen it all. This will be Shannon’s 50th year involved with Harness racing!
Shannon was born and raised in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on the family ‘Dude Ranch’.
It all started back in 1969 at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, MB where Shannon started grooming and walking the harness horses. In 1971 she met her husband Steven and they married in 1972. The next year they both started breaking two-year olds and then in 1974 they started their own stable together. The enthusiastic young lady passed her Trainers license in 1975 and her Drivers license in 1976.
The eager couple started racing at the Manitoba and Saskatchewan race meets. In 1977, they moved here to Alberta to race for a few years. They returned to Manitoba and raced the fair meets through the 80’s. And somewhere in-between all this racing and moving Shannon and Steve had four wonderful children.
The family returned to harness racing in Alberta in 2004. They bought a farm in Standard, Alberta and have never looked back. They have been racing in Alberta ever since.
Shannon’s fondest memories are from her driving experiences. “I loved driving like I love breathing,” states Shannon. “It was a very big part of my life back then and I thoroughly enjoyed the excitement. I love competing, so having my drivers and trainers license was very exhilarating for me. Being a woman was very competitive.” “It was a big deal back then,” shares Shannon.
The family stable currently has eight horses at Century Mile. Shannon also looks after six broodmares and a stallion. “This life now is our semi-retirement and we basically do it for fun. We hope to be involved for years to come and as long as our health holds up we will stay in the game,” states Shannon.
Congratulations Shannon on your 50th year in Harness racing. We hope to see you around for many more years to come!
Shannon was born and raised in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on the family ‘Dude Ranch’.
It all started back in 1969 at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, MB where Shannon started grooming and walking the harness horses. In 1971 she met her husband Steven and they married in 1972. The next year they both started breaking two-year olds and then in 1974 they started their own stable together. The enthusiastic young lady passed her Trainers license in 1975 and her Drivers license in 1976.
The eager couple started racing at the Manitoba and Saskatchewan race meets. In 1977, they moved here to Alberta to race for a few years. They returned to Manitoba and raced the fair meets through the 80’s. And somewhere in-between all this racing and moving Shannon and Steve had four wonderful children.
The family returned to harness racing in Alberta in 2004. They bought a farm in Standard, Alberta and have never looked back. They have been racing in Alberta ever since.
Shannon’s fondest memories are from her driving experiences. “I loved driving like I love breathing,” states Shannon. “It was a very big part of my life back then and I thoroughly enjoyed the excitement. I love competing, so having my drivers and trainers license was very exhilarating for me. Being a woman was very competitive.” “It was a big deal back then,” shares Shannon.
The family stable currently has eight horses at Century Mile. Shannon also looks after six broodmares and a stallion. “This life now is our semi-retirement and we basically do it for fun. We hope to be involved for years to come and as long as our health holds up we will stay in the game,” states Shannon.
Congratulations Shannon on your 50th year in Harness racing. We hope to see you around for many more years to come!
Courtesy Orianna Scheck
