Ruth Altmeyer is a matriarch and so much more
by Victoria Howard
I have personally known Ruth Altmeyer for over 40 years and can testify she is by far one of harness racings most devoted, supportive and loved females in the sport.
I’ve never heard one negative or bad thing said about her. She is truly loved by all. She is not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside.
She has been married to renowned trainer Dan Altmeyer for decades and together they have two daughters; Heather Wilder an advocate in the sport and wife of trainer/driver Mike Wilder, and Julie Lynn, a doctor who is also a partner on several standardbreds with her family.
But it doesn’t end there for the legacy continues with Ruth’s granddaughter Scarlett who trains and drives standardbreds part-time, who is also a nurse in the ICU at UPMC Washington Hospital.
So, how and when did Ruth become involved in our sport?
“I was born in Lancaster, OH, into a family who loved horses and harness racing,” Ruth said. “My father, Scott Rankin, started his career racing at the county fairs for he loved the atmosphere that went with county fair racing. He was a lifelong advocate who drove and won his last race at the Old County Fair in Ohio when he was 80 years young.
“My sweet mother, Grace, also loved the horses and worked daily with them. She was more of a behind-the-scenes kind of gal but totally devoted and put so much effort into making the family business and horses successful.
“My oldest brother, John, surprised the family when he signed up for the Navy as soon as he graduated from high school. After doing his time and graduating from the Navy, he enrolled at Ohio State University and became a veterinarian. John worked closely with our brother Dave who was a top trainer/driver in the sport.
“My brother Dave truly loved harness racing. His green and white colors graced the winner’s circle all over the Grand Circuit and in his home state of Ohio. Dave was a fierce competitor on the racetrack who rightfully was inducted into the Ohio Hall of Fame. Sadly, Dave passed away, and although he is gone, he will always be in our hearts, and we miss him terribly.
“My sister, Kay, was involved in racing as well. She not only cared for the horses, but also trained and shipped.”
In the very beginning, Ruth said she worked for her brother Dave and learned a lot about the business before she went to work for trainer Archie McNeil on the Grand Circuit.
“One of the horses I took care of was Skippers Subject,” she said. “I absolutely loved traveling with the stable as the horses and traveling was exciting for me at that age.”
Ruth and Dan have been married a long time which is a rarity when both people are involved in our sport, and harness racing brought them together.
“I met Dan at a county fair in Cadiz, OH, one day when I was there with my father, and the races were cancelled due to rain,” Ruth said. “Although we were rained on, that day was the brightest and one of the best days in my life for that’s the day I met the man I would marry and father my children.
“I feel really blessed to have married Dan for he is one of the kindest and quietest men who is always thinking. He’s someone you can depend on at all times — not just for myself, but for the entire family. I’ve always considered marrying him the best thing I ever did in my life.”
Dan has trained some great standardbreds during his career, including Cambest.
“Besides the great Cambest, other horses that come to my mind are Armbro Upsala, Meadow Gallant, Make A Success, Santastics Pan, and Slick Pavement. I loved and still love every horse that Dan has ever trained for they were all unique in their own way.”
Just like every other horseperson, Ruth said she has at least one horse that holds a piece of her heart.
“There are two that stand out in my mind,” she said. “One is Our Colors aka ‘Mona’ who we purchased for $6,000 as a yearling. She was the winner of the New Jersey Sire Stakes final at Garden State when she was 2. Mona was the first horse I purchased on my own who went on to be successful.
“Another favorite is Seventh Street who was out of my mare Secret Song. Every time he hit the track, he raced his heart out for us. He is now retired and living on my farm.”
Ruth’s best memory in the sport involves one of their horses.
“It was when another inexpensive filly named Tap Hanover won the $250,000 Breeders Filly at Hoosier Park,” she said. “I will never forget the run down from the owner’s suite that night; we were all so excited.”
As a woman in harness racing, Ruth knows it’s been considered to be a man’s sport, but she also knows that today there are many great females who are changing history.
“Linda Toscano is the one woman who comes to my mind first for she’s so personable and is a fabulous trainer,” Ruth said. “Close to home is our caretaker Kim Farmer, who has always been wonderful with the horses and takes care of the horses that are a bit more challenging.
“I think a woman can accomplish anything that a man can. The hard work and effort are what makes a person successful no matter what career you take on, regardless of the sex. Our sport is catching up and today there are more women than ever involved.”
Ruth currently owns a piece of 12 horses and two retirees.
“They live in our field, and I get to watch them from my window,” she said. “During the winter we train at Spring Garden Ranch in northern Florida. The weather is great which is good for breaking and training horses in the cold and icy months up north.
“The track there is super, and it benefits the horses to be out in the sunshine instead of staying in the north and fighting the weather. It’s a lot better for the people, too.”
Ruth said she is thrilled that her son-in-law, Mike Wilder, is working with her husband Dan training horses.
“Mike is a gem. Sometimes it’s not easy working with a family member, but it’s working out great. Dan and Mike get along so well, and they listen to one another and take advice. Last year our stable did well when the babies returned home to racing and I believe this year will be the same.”
