My First Full Card… A "Commentator’s" Diary

[peter .h]

The day was hot enough, but it didn’t help my case when I broke into a vicious sweat when I was announcing all the runners and drivers for the days racing… and no; it wasn’t because of the heat.

I had never had a full card to myself and really I wasn’t supposed to have it, but a cancellation by the prearranged commentator at York harness racing led to a phone call from Darren Owen asking if I was interested. I was overjoyed at the time as it seemed like I was finally catching a break, but I had issues to sort out before accepting. Like making sure I could get there!

Darren was extremely helpful. He gave me plenty of advice and encouragement on what to do and how to do things; I just wish I had a pad of paper to write it down on (I called him on my break at work).

I had a brief taste of harness racing commentary when I called 2 races at Appleby in June. I got into it pretty well and for a first time I thought I did alright (even Gareth praised me, which is always an honour). Though needless to say the chronic harness racegoers could tell I was new to it all as put forth with such comments as “yes , i noticed, obviouslly a trainee!”. Mmm… yeah. Though I did receive more encouraging reviews when someone else said “Got to say he done very good, Made a wee couple of errors but it is very hard, big future ahead i think for this lad” Shucks. I was just relieved I wasn’t called shite (but the future had an ace up its sleeve for later on).

Before then I had only commentated one live race when Gareth let me call a 3 horse point to point race at Aspatria in March where things went much smoother than expected and I even got complemented for my efforts!

It took me a while to get through to the fellow at the front gate who couldn’t seem to comprehend that I was the commentator (to his credit I am only 18), but once I got in I got acquainted with the cameraman John and his wife Janet, who like Darren said were very, very helpful and encouraging (even had me thinking I was doing a good job!).

I can say this without much thought in my mind, but I much prefer the action of point to pointing (well jump racing altogether) and I reckon commentating slower paced jump races is a lot more easier than the fast, no rest (and frankly no organization) pace of harness racing. And after 8 hectic races and 3 poorly set up qualifier races I was finished and… relieved. I had got through them all without making any major cock ups (though I did get an angry spectator staring daggers at me when I announced a false start on the last race and for a brief moment calling the wrong horse as the leader)

I felt pretty good at the time and thought that people would be sympathetic and cut me maybe a bit of slack as I was not only new to commentating full cards, but harness racing as a whole… but I was wrong… as these reviews would suggest: “It wasn’t the usual commentator this week. I found id hard to understand him, especially when trying to write down the draw. “ and to a more harsh extent: “Commentator was shite mate. Couldnt pronounce the drivers names correctly either. Suppose he can only get better.!!!” Ouch. Had to down plenty of Ben and Jerry’s to get over that one, but I was determined not to be remembered as the guy who gave up after one go (so basically not remembered at all) and remembered more as someone who kept going, through all the negative comments no matter whether he reached big heights or not. As the great Jeff Lynne once said: “Hold on tight to your dream” (come to think of it… he says it more than once in the song, but you get the idea)

Darren and Gareth proved how genuine they are when they both called me the next day to ask me how it went, expressing great interest in how I did, in fact Darren also said I (might, not sure) will be added to the “loop” of commentators who share out harness meetings, though I just hope York is the only venue with a commentary position with zero height and bad angles… not an easy spot to call from.

After Gareth jumped to my defense in a thread basically focused on my performance; I got some more positive words… even got called a “well said caller”… I liked that one.

It wasn’t the best way to start off, but I’ll always remember it and hold it in fond memory and if you’re intrigued by what I might sound like: here’s a link to the clip I referred to earlier…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6ir7tH-b0o

Notice how the last 3 characters basically spell “boo”? Charming.

I’m meeting with Gareth and Darren a few more times soon, where I’ll be learning by two of the best in the business. I just hope they don’t reveal themselves as the bloke with the harsh words

[graysonscolumn]

Splendid, comprehensive account, Peter, and glad it went well on balance for a first attempt.

Keep at it and don’t go jumping off the nearest bridge at the first sign of a cross word – remember that Simon Holt’s point-to-point debut commentary back in the mid-80s consisted of about four fences of total, stunned, terrified silence before he was advised that he might like to say something. He didn’t turn out too badly in the end.

Keep us informed how you progress.

Cheers,

gc

Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.

[peter .h]

Splendid, comprehensive account, Peter, and glad it went well on balance for a first attempt.

Keep at it and don’t go jumping off the nearest bridge at the first sign of a cross word – remember that Simon Holt’s point-to-point debut commentary back in the mid-80s consisted of about four fences of total, stunned, terrified silence before he was advised that he might like to say something. He didn’t turn out too badly in the end.

Keep us informed how you progress.

Cheers,

gc

Thank you

And i’m relieved things weren’t always so smooth for someone as good as Holt. I do like the idea of getting better

[AngloGerman]

Forgive me for going a bit deaf in my old age, but are you calling one of the horses ‘Harbinger’?

In which case, does Sir Michael Stoute know about this?

[peter .h]

Forgive me for going a bit deaf in my old age, but are you calling one of the horses ‘Harbinger’?

In which case, does Sir Michael Stoute know about this?

Your ears are correct we have a Harbinger in the field. This one is actually 3 years older!

[Author]

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