Soldiering Onwards

OSAS is celebrating 30 years of finding forever homes for Standardbreds and one of the hundreds of horses rehomed is Explosive Space. That 15 year-old mare with a love for the outdoors, and the woman who provided her forever home, Erin MacPherson, are profiled by WEG’s Matthew Loman in the latest 30 years, 30 stories feature. The pair celebrated five years together this past August, giving MacPherson a chance to reflect on a relationship that’s grown significantly over the past half-decade. “We love trail rides and being together and having some fun,” she said. “It’s not super extravagant. It’s just our life, and we’re living it.” Fun fact #1: Explosive Space has three nicknames: “Princess,” “P” and “Bubba.” Fun fact #2: Explosive Space had a brief racing career, making five starts across Mohawk, Georgian Downs and Grand River. Fun fact #3: Explosive Space’s dam, Springer Cam, has only one other foal, Springers Luckyboy, who won 13 races and earned $78,712. Walk us through your first impressions of Explosive Space. “I saw several horses that were up for adoption, but she was already adopted out, so I inquired about a different one. After that, they said, ‘We’ve also got this one, Princess (Explosive Space).’ I thought she was adopted, and she was, but it did not work out. So, Bert [Mollica] picked her up and brought her home. “When I went to see her, she was absolutely beautiful. Bert did a good job starting her under saddle, but I knew she’d be a project. She was a nice forward ride, with an attitude, but I gravitate towards those types. “She was pretty good under saddle, but the groundwork was not there. She would’ve been a late nine or 10 years old when he started her, so she had a late start. She didn’t race much. She just really needed time and patience. “It took a long time for that to come along, but I knew that going into it. So, I gave her that chance, and although it took some time, we got there.” How would you describe your relationship with Explosive Space, and how has it grown during your time together? “We have a good relationship. She is very sensitive, so it took a long time for us to understand each other. It grew to where, now, she obviously trusts me. She gets a little nervous with other people because she’s a one-person type of horse. “Overall, it has gone really well. I threw her into the deep end a couple of times, taking her out to different places. She looked to me when she was nervous. I didn’t take another horse with me. It was just me and her. She really looked to me, and that was when I knew that this was going well and we’re connecting. She makes me happy.” What are some of the hobbies that you two share? “We just live our best life. We have been to shows, we’ve done that. We went to the Standardbred Showcase the second year I had her. We went to a couple of speed shows just to get her out to have some fun. I think she really enjoyed it. We’ve done a lot of obstacle work. I’ve set up an obstacle course for her at home. We also go out to different places that have clinics. “We love to go camping, too. Generally, we try at least once a week to go somewhere for a trail ride, just to trail her out and see some new stuff and be with friends. She loves to have friends. When I’ve taken her to clinics or anything where it’s just me and her, she looks to me, but she also tries to find a friend. She’ll find one that looks like the horse she’s currently out with and go, ‘Hey, is that you?’ “She’s very gentle with other horses. She’s not a kicker. She doesn’t rear or bite. She’s a big, big girl, but she’s a sweetheart. We have our time together, but she also loves her friends a lot. They’re herd animals, so they need that connection.” What are you most grateful for when it comes to Explosive Space? “She’s taught me a lot. She’s different from other horses I’ve had in the past. With her quirks, I had to explore some different ways of doing things. She’s really taught me a lot about patience. You can’t get mad at her. She seems to know that and thinks it’s funny. “She’s taught me different ways of thinking about things. My biggest tool since I’ve had her has been a flag, the kind that trainers use. I never touched her with it. It’s just an extra tool that, for whatever reason, she’ll listen to. “My friends just think it’s hilarious because if I try to load her in the trailer and she’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t really feel like it, Mom,’ she’s not pulling away or anything, but I’ll just pull out my flag and say, ‘Okay, now it’s time to go,’ and she jumps right on. For whatever reason, she thinks that’s just the boss. “With us doing our training, every little win is a celebration. I tend to dress her up weird sometimes, mostly for fun, and she’s put up with all of that. She’s just my girl and I’m happy that she came into my life and taught me a bunch, and we just keep moving forward.”

One of the reasons the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is commemorating its 30 th anniversary in 2026 is thanks to adopters like Monica Koehler who celebrate the Standardbred breed as loudly and as often as possible. A lifelong rider, Monica adopted her first Standardbred, A Marked Player, in 2019, just a few weeks after the daughter of Shadow Play made her 11 th and final racing start in October at Flamboro Downs. A Marked Player was bred by Kim Mark who owned her during her brief racing career. The fourth and final foal of the Camluck mare Nina Seelster, A Marked Player is a sister to $211,000 winner Mea Lilley Mark and $124,000 earner On The Minute Mark. To say Monica is pleased with her decision to adopt the now 10 year-old mare she calls Marlie, would be a gross understatement. “I thank OSAS every year for Marlie in my (social media) posts as she is the loveliest, sweetest, and safest horse I have ever had the privilege to work with,” she said right after Marlie competed successfully in a dressage competition. A retired Occupational Therapist from the Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, area, Monica had no experience with harness horses until she worked at a breeding farm several years ago. “That was my first exposure to the breed, and I became really interested in them. I’ve been riding since I was nine and always had a horse but never a Standardbred. Someone abandoned a weanling filly at the farm, she was the sweetest creature, but no one came back for her. So, I worked with her and found her a home and afterwards I thought ‘why didn’t I keep her for myself?’ “That’s when I did some research and found out about OSAS and reached out to Joanne (Colville, OSAS’s administrator) who was so wonderful and helpful. I was very specific, I wanted a horse that could be an ambassador for the breed, a young horse that I could train as a dressage prospect. I wanted a mare. Joanne pointed me towards a couple of horses, interestingly they were both by Shadow Play. “I had no aspirations to compete at a high level, I was close to 50, this was for pleasure. I have a background in eventing, and I hit the jackpot with Marlie. She is the kindest soul and a great friend for me. And most importantly, I can do what I want with her knowing I’m safe,” explained Monica who now works part time at Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies which has helped further her knowledge of the harness racing world. With the help of an experienced dressage coach, Allie Schmidt Dressage, Marlie has truly blossomed into the kind of competitor who continually amazes her owner. “From the minute I saw A Marked Player I knew she was my heart horse. As a three-year-old, we slowly got to know each other, and she was so easy to convert into a riding horse. “Developing good, clear gaits was difficult, but Marlie never stopped trying,” Monica noted. The pair have captured many ribbons and championships at various dressage competitions including Caledon Dressage, Dressage Niagara and Ontario Dressage. “Dressage requires constant growth, it’s very fluid and very hard to do. We are now working on the Second Level and that’s a big ask for Marlie. She’s very willing and always tries. I don’t think there are too many Standardbreds at the same level and I’m so proud of her. Every time I think we’ve capped her capabilities she shows a little bit more.” When Marlie and Monica compete (they did so virtually during Covid and recently as well as in person), their fellow competitors were taken aback to discover the horse’s background. “They see her freeze brand and ask about it, most people are very surprised she’s a Standardbred. It’s generated a lot of really interesting and fun discussions.” One of OSAS’s mandates is to showcase the versatility of the breed. Monica and A Marked Player are certainly contributing to that goal. “I truly believe that Standardbreds are misunderstood and under recognized. In my experience they are innately easy-going, amazing to handle, smart and willing with a great sense of humour. I truly enjoy their personalities and am looking forward to many more years with Marlie.”

Keystone Edge, a gregarious 18 year-old gelding, was welcomed back by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society after being adopted out of it a few years ago. The Bettors Delight son is featured in this week’s OSAS Pathways by WEG’s Matthew Loman which is part of OSAS’s 30 Years, 30 Stories campaign celebrating three decades of finding harness horses forever homes. While Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ontario, didn’t cross paths with Keystone Edge during his first stint with OSAS, the devoted husband and wife team is grateful to be co-authoring the next chapter of his life. “He is a very, very good boy,” praised Susan. “The owner that had him loved him. It was really hard for the gentleman to bring him back. He wants to visit Edge if Edge is still here, and his own health improves enough to permit it, so it was quite emotional. But it’s very clear that Edge was trained and loved.” Fun fact #1: Keystone Edge’s barn name is Edge. Fun fact #2: Keystone Edge made 56 starts across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, earning just shy of $60,000 lifetime.  Fun fact #3: His dam, Keystone Exton, is a half-sister to iron horse Keystone Endeavor, who made 390 starts while racing from ages two through 14. Keystone Endeavor was driven by several top drivers over his career, including Hall of Famer and current OSAS board member Bill O’Donnell. Some folks in the program are already quite familiar with Keystone Edge. What have you learned about his character? “Edge settled in really well. He’s like the papa bear. He’s with Soldier Boy [Officersoldierboy], and he just loves him. The bond they share is like father and son. Soldier Boy’s only four years old, and he’s a kind soul, too, but Edge has been there, done that, he’s just a happy boy.” How are you and Bert approaching Keystone Edge’s second stay in the program? “It makes it easier for us because Edge already knows everything. It’s been more about introducing him to our home, introducing him to his new buddy – but Bert can literally go tack him and ride him at any time. There’s no learning process for Edge because he already knows it all. This is a retreat while he waits to go to his forever home.” Based on everything you know about Keystone Edge, what kind of home do you think will suit him best? “It will be with someone who wants to go out, tack up their horse, and go for a nice ride by themselves or with a group. He will be the leader, but he’ll also be a follower. He will do what anybody wants him to do. He’s just waiting for someone who wants to enjoy life him.” Keystone Edge is proof that Standardbreds always have a home with OSAS. How important is providing that continued care, even after horses have moved through the program? “This is why we work with OSAS. Whether they age out of the program or get hurt, OSAS doesn’t shut the door on a horse, the door is always wide open. They will continue to support and love the horse. “Even if Bert and I aren’t doing it anymore, OSAS will still carry on, and the horse will never be left astray. It’s so hard to put in words how amazing the program is. We’ve had horses come back in the past that were younger, and we had no issue re-adopting them out. Even with Edge being older, he will find his perfect home. “One thing that OSAS stands behind is that every horse they have in their program and in their care is always welcome back. Even when situations change, they continue to be responsible for those horses and will help find them their forever home again.”

It seems appropriate to kick off the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 30 Years, 30 Stories campaign with a profile of Sheila Jopling, a staunch supporter of OSAS for many years and also a customer. Sheila has now had the complete OSAS experience as she recently adopted her first horse from the program, KJ Owen. A volunteer for the organization for many years, Sheila has helped in a wide variety of roles including marketing and monitoring social media. It was on Facebook where she first saw KJ Owen who was being retrained by Susan and Bert Mollica who offer a foster farm and retraining for the majority of the retired Standarbred horses in OSAS’s care. “Being a dedicated volunteer with OSAS, I'm in a position where I can see the new horses coming into the program. When I saw the videos of Owen's arrival at the Mollicas I was instantly drawn to him. I visited their farm and rode him, and the connection was there,” explained Sheila who lives near Peterborough in Buckhorn, Ontario. “Having spent time in the industry, I appreciate and admire the breed, both on and off track,” added Sheila who is well versed with harness horses having worked in the stables of Terry Heffernan, Pete LaRush, Dagfin and Per Henriksen, Steve Nichols, Charlie Peake and Jason Woodward. It was Heffernan who first exposed Sheila to the Standardbred breed. “I was taking riding lessons at an equestrian facility where Terry’s two daughters were also taking lessons. One of them was riding a pacer which quite intrigued me. Terry offered me a job and introduced me to jogging and it’s gone from there,” she remembered. “When I worked for Per it was all trotters, so you’re exposed to a different side of the breed. I loved working with them, when you’re a groom you get to know the horses’ personalities so well. Some are very different at the farm than at the track and you get to know their little quirks and what sets them off.” Sheila’s first harness horse, acquired several years ago, is 22 year-old gelding Hezgothorseshoes. “He was named that after being born severely windswept. He qualified, but never raced,” she noted. A son of Mr Lavec who Sheila calls Mojo, he hails from the immediate family of millionaire Self Possessed. Interestingly, there is an OSAS connection here as Mojo’s dam, Orchard Park, went through the program in 2009. Sheila and Mojo have been a team for many years, and their riding has included leading the post parades at her home track of Kawartha Downs on Canada Day a few years back. They’ve also participated in many horse shows including Hunters and Dressage and she appreciates always having the opportunity to promote the breed when she rides him at various events. Sheila is cognizant of Mojo’s age and realizes that will limit what he is capable and comfortable doing going forward which is why she began to contemplate getting another horse which is what led her to KJ Owen. Unlike Mojo, KJ Owen had a very productive career on the racetrack with close to 300 lifetime starts. The now 12 year-old son of Roll With Joe retired earlier this year with an impressive summary of 52-41-38. He has two half-brothers currently competing at Monticello Raceway in KJ Hunter, a winner of $256,000 lifetime and KJ Leo, who has over $300,000 banked lifetime. The brothers are owned by breeders Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger and trained by Gary Messenger. Those are the same connections who raced Owen during his first six seasons of racing before losing him in a claiming race in 2021. He would continue to race for five more years, through to age 12, quietly grinding out a decent bankroll of over $311,000 lifetime. At the time of his retirement Owen was owned by Lynn Cameron of New Brunswick who Sheila has connected with over the horse. Lynn donated Owen to OSAS following his final race at Mohawk in January of this year. Susan Mollica recently sent Sheila a horseshoe he was wearing in that last race. “I won’t lie, I was teary-eyed when I opened that, it means a lot,” said Sheila. “I actually cried when I went to meet Owen for the first time. The closer we got to the Mollicas I was getting more excited. When Bert met us, I said ‘please don’t mind, the tears are excitement and joy’, and he said, ‘Susan’s been doing the same’.” After their first meeting, Sheila and her husband Garth, returned a few weeks later to take Owen home for good. Her horses are boarded at Nirvana Animal Sanctuary where she also volunteers. “The sanctuary is operated by two sisters who provide animals of all kinds a safe landing. We’ve become good friends and I’m now on their board of directors. They currently have over 30 horses, a few donkeys, a pony, pigs and cows. “When I got Owen to the farm, he didn’t have a care in the world, he was looking around, he didn’t pay any attention, he settled in really well,” added Sheila who works full time in Lakefield which is a ten minute drive from home and the farm is five minutes away which allows her to spend a lot of time there. “Owen and Mojo have sorted things out, Mojo’s nose was out of joint for a few days, but they’ve become buddies now and Owen is the top of the pack, he quickly established himself. One of the sisters is a farrier who is a barefoot specialist. She noted that Owen was the best horse she has ever trimmed. I love him to bits.” A rider for many years, Sheila has never ridden without using a bit but that is how the Mollicas trained KJ Owen so she’s going to work on riding him with a bitless bridle, in this case a hackamore. “We’ll practice in the indoor arena and work that out but I’m looking forward to learning.” Sheila first started riding with her dad on ponies. “I think I was 10 when I started taking western riding lessons.” She rode for many years but then took some time off when her daughters, Alison and Krista, were young. When they developed an interest in riding it became something they did together, and Sheila is hoping that continues with Owen. “With Mojo I did dressage, hunter jumper; I have championship ribbons from our time competing. I showed him in the western pleasure class at the Orono fair and got first place to my shock. With Owen we will do lots of rides, maybe some western dressage; I’d like to get into reining and clinics not far from the farm. I’m not sure If I’ll teach him to canter, we’ll see. We might enter some shows down the road, I do know I would like to post parade with him if the opportunity arose. “I have been exposed to many breeds of horses and I’m so impressed with Standardbreds. It’s remarkable what they can accomplish, look at the one in the US who was just named Grand Champion (Homicide Hunter). What OSAS does is provide a wonderful opportunity for horses to learn something different and have a whole new career. These horses are so intelligent and don’t forget what they’ve been taught in my experience. “It breaks my heart to think of where some of these horses would end up without a program like OSAS. I’m very happy to contribute to their work any way I can and can’t express how thrilled I am to have my own OSAS horse. I will always be an advocate for them.” Celebrating their 30 th year, OSAS has succeeded throughout that time thanks to dedicated volunteers like Sheila, who give of their time and experience to support and sustain Standardbred horses.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is marking its’ 30 th anniversary in 2026 and part of the celebrations include the annual golf tournament which will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at the Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, Ontario. The cost per golfer is $180 which includes lunch, dinner, cart, golf and OSAS swag. A foursome is $720. Cost per hole sponsors is $250. Shotgun start is 1 p.m. Please register early as this popular event always fills up quickly. Non golfers are more than welcome to attend and/or contribute by sponsoring a hole or an item for the prize table. Please contact Joanne Colville 905-339-6748 ( osashorses@gmail.com ) to register to play, regarding sponsorship, to donate prizes or for additional information.

“She’s a very social, happy-go-lucky girl,” is how Susan Mollica describes Emilleah, a four-year-old daughter of Dancin Lou who is currently being retrained for her second career. Emilleah is the latest OSAS horse featured in WEG’s OSAS Pathways which may be read through the link below. https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-emilleah/

“For us, Ares is proof that retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of a horse’s story. Sometimes, it simply means finding the career they were always meant to have,” notes Jessica Abbott regarding her OSAS graduate Isnt He An Angel. The 10 year-old former trotter is enjoying his best life as described by WEG’s Matthew Loman in his latest installment of OSAS pathways which may be read below. OSAS Pathways: Isnt He An Angel - Woodbine Mohawk Park

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is proud to be celebrating our 30 th anniversary in 2026. Over those three decades we have fostered second careers and found forever homes for hundreds of pacers and trotters. A main component of OSAS’s mandate is to showcase the versatility of the Standardbred horse, a goal which has been reached with so many graduates enjoying second careers as riding horses. Some disciplines include trail or distance riding, dressage, pleasure, etc. One of our graduates, Masseno, is currently a member of the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill team. To celebrate this milestone, we have launched our “30 Years, 30 Stories” campaign which will feature horses and people who have contributed to OSAS’s success and will be released throughout the year. These can be read and viewed on our website osas.ca and on our Facebook page. We have also commissioned a limited series of t-shirts featuring the incredibly talented Beau Jangles, one of the best Ontario-bred pacers of all time. These will be available for sale throughout the year at various racetracks and online. To everyone who has supported OSAS, our horses and our volunteers, a very sincere thank you. We look forward to finding forever homes for our wonderful breed for many years to come. Donations at osas.ca are always appreciated.

The star of the most recent OSAS Pathways by Matthew Loman is James Arthur who will be heading to his forever home this week. To read the full story please click OSAS Pathways: James Arthur - Woodbine Mohawk Park