RICHARD DOUGLAS PAYNE

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RICHARD DOUGLAS PAYNE In the early morning of Friday, November 18, 2011 Richard Douglas Payne passed away suddenly at the Grace Hospital. Rick was born in Winnipeg on July 3, 1947. Rick was predeceased by his parents Edwin and Olive Payne. He will continue to live in the memories of his loving wife Kathryn (nee Gislason), daughters Dawn (Barry) and Carol (Bruce), grandchildren Miles and Emma, brother Danny (Penny), sister Lisa (Tom), brothers-in-law Gordon (Edna) and Donald, his first wife Lauri, and numerous nieces and nephews. Rick's entrepreneurial spirit began during his teenage years and he was proud to take ownership of his first successful business at the age of 20. His desire to support and provide for his family was strong and his dedicated work ethic helped him achieve success early in life. Recognized for integrity and fairness in his personal and business dealings, he was highly respected by colleagues and others in the equine and agricultural industries across the country. His love of horses led Rick into the business ventures that he would pursue for the rest of his life. After selling his first business, the Portage and Maryland Shell Station, he became a farrier. Soon after he managed and then purchased a long established equestrian facility that became known as Westgates Horse Centre. Westgates grew to become one of the largest equestrian centres in the prairies, operating until 1996. A rarity in the equestrian world, Rick excelled in both English and Western disciplines; riding, training, coaching and developing young riders. Rick enjoyed great success in showing cutting horses nationally and internationally as well as coaching hunter and jumper competitors up to the North American Young Rider level. During these years, Rick opened a small tack shop as part of the equestrian facility. Other business ventures followed including a national distribution company for wholesale equestrian equipment and later an expansion of the retail tack shop operations to include both Southern Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario locations. However, in 2009 Rick decided to shift gears, turning his focus towards retirement while continuing to provide specialized saddle fitting services for clients riding and competing in both English and Western disciplines. Volunteering was as much a part of Rick's life as business. Throughout the years he worked to improve the profile of the equestrian sport and the quality of competition available to equestrians in Manitoba. He served as Vice President of the Canadian Equestrian Federation (now Equine Canada) and as such led the development of the first Western Coaching Certification Program. Among the many boards he served on he was proud to have been a founding director for the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled, which ran its programs at Westgates for 15 years. When the Pan Am Games came to Winnipeg in 1999, Rick served as an advisor to the Facilities Committee for the equestrian events held at the Red River Exhibition Park. This led to a long association with the Red River Exhibition Association where, at the time of his passing, Rick held an executive position on the board. The farm in Headingley where he raised his family was where Rick was happiest, a place to spend time with Kathryn and tend to the farm. Farming was his preferred pastime in recent years, partnering with his good friend Herman on various cattle and haying ventures. He enjoyed travel and was particularly drawn to Arizona where he and Kathryn had established a second home during the winter months. Summer escapes were spent boating, fishing and enjoying Lake of the Woods. Time spent with his grandson Miles was a joy and he was extremely proud of his daughters' accomplishments and professional careers. Rick was taken from this world much too soon; he had many more dreams to pursue. He touched numerous lives throughout his career and lifetime and will be missed by his family and many friends and business associates. He served them and the entire equestrian community with dedication and commitment - always a friend, a mentor to many and a loving husband, father and grandfather. A memorial service will be held at Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Avenue at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2011