by Steve Fitzsimmons

Fans who have visited Hanover Raceway in the past 34 years have likely heard the long-time soundtrack of the Raceway, the voice of Rick Rier - who has been the track announcer in multiple stints over that period. His career started innocently enough at the age of 16, when his Uncle Randy Rier suggested he give announcing a try. " The racetrack needed an announcer, after Billy Kell who had done it for many years had retired and they were looking for someone and there wasn't really anybody around and Uncle Randy said "Rick you're always here, why don't you go try it." I tried it and really enjoyed it and that was the start of this journey." Rier explained.

After his first season calling the action for Hanover, Rier got the call from the now defunct Orangeville Raceway, when then General Manager Mike Stoikopoulos reached out and offered him the job at their race track, which Rier called " A great opportunity." He called races at that half mile oval for many years. He also eventually became the Track Announcer for Elmira Raceway (the predecessor to Grand River Raceway) and at one point was doing all three tracks, with only Tuesdays off.

It came to a point where Rier had to make a tough decision, which was to bow out of being the Announcer for Elmira Raceway - which led to an opportunity for a young Ken Middleton to have his first announcing gig. " The situation came about close to the start of one season in Elmira when I was their Announcer, that I was working a day job and I just couldn't fit all the Elmira nights in to call them. I felt bad, but I just couldn't do it. Kenny took over and he's done really, really well. He's got a great style and makes it exciting and he's smooth. He's calling at Woodbine Mohawk Park, so things all worked out the way they should have." Rier remarked.

For Rier, being around harness racing comes naturally, as his family has long roots in the business. " I grew up around it with my parents who had horses and my Uncle Jack and Uncle Randy, as well as my Grandfather. Right from the time I can remember, I was coming to the racetrack here in Hanover and elsewhere. I got my Grooms license and I progressed to my Trainers Licence and (chuckling) I actually had my Driver's Licence for a short period of time and drove in three races and quickly realized that driving was not my cup of tea. (His Driver career ended with zero earnings) I was the first Driver in a few generations of Rier's, so that was kind of nice." said Rier.

In Rier's career, he also had a two-year stint as Hanover Raceway's General Manager in 1999, which included having the idea to start the Dream of Glory stakes race, which has blossomed to become the Raceway's Signature event. " The Slots at Race Tracks program was rolling, so like every racetrack, purse money was very good. I was trying to give a little back to horsemen and this area being a big trotting area, with Bud Fritz having had many good trotters, Allan Walker and then both Paul and Bob Walker also had lots of good ones. The Thibaudeaus as well. "

"Dream of Glory was a foundation sire of Trotters from years ago and many bloodlines go back to him today. We came up with that Dream of Glory idea and there was lots of little things to work through. We got it rolling with the Raceway boards help, including signing off on the fireworks, which the first year was around $14,000. There was some push back on spending that money, but I thought we needed a clincher, like Industry Day with Grand River Raceway or Legends Day at Clinton Raceway and Hanover didn't really have a day, so we made one and it's done well." said Rier.

For Rier, he still loves calling races just as much as ever. He loves the challenge of making them entertaining for the people watching the races. " Every race is different. I like to try and make the races exciting when I call them. The more you put into it, the more exciting it sounds. I find people will go with the tone of the race. I love horses, have for a long time and the thrill of the racing and the whole environment. Everybody in the horse business knows it's an "in your blood thing."

Rier has owned his fair share of horses over the years as well and in fact had one of his horses win on opening day this season (Big Sir) and admits it's a challenge to not get over-excited when his horse is in a race he is calling. " It's an interesting challenge. It's hard to not put any extra enthusiasm on one that you own, but it's a race and all 8 horses trainers and owners, drivers are in it to win it , so you try and keep it enthusiastic for everybody, but certainly it's nice when one of your own is successful ." Rier commented.

For Hanover Raceway fans, there is nothing more soothing and enjoyable than hearing Rick Rier on the microphone at Hanover Raceway doing his thing from his booth above the track, for all to enjoy his entertaining race calls.

Steve Fitzsimmons is the General Manager of Hanover Raceway.

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