by Chris Tully, on behalf of the Payne family
Nichols, NY — Several local horsemen, including farrier Dennis Payne, who died over the past year will be remembered during a memorial service prior to the first race at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 24).
Born in Binghamton, N.Y., on Feb. 27, 1944, Dennis Leo Payne was raised in the Southern Tier region of New York and in Central Florida. He got into the horse business with his grandparents on his mother’s side, and he learned shoeing and blacksmithing from his stepfather, Robert.
Over the course of his 50-plus years of shoeing horses, he was responsible for the foot care of three Hambletonian winners, including Continentalvictory, Self Possessed and Victory Dream.
He quietly shod dozens of world champions and superstars of the sport of harness racing, too numerous to mention. In fact, when Niatross visited Monticello Raceway in 1980, it was Dennis Payne who re-set the iconic pacer’s footwear.
Mr. Payne died Feb. 1, 2018, and is survived by his loving wife, Joann Murns-Payne; sons, Danny (Carol Ann) and John (Dawn); daughter, Amie; stepdaughter, Casey (Claude) Huckabone; stepson, Dustin (Margaret) Miller; brother, Richared Wride; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and LaRita Wride; and a brother, Russell.
The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association is coordinating a memorial service with horsemen and women walking from the Tioga Downs paddock to the winner’s circle at 12:50 p.m. on Sunday for a brief memorial service, honoring members who have died in the last year. Food and refreshments will be served, along with the sharing of fond memories, from 1-2 p.m. in the tent on the Tioga Downs apron.