Tymal Tarot – The Teddy Bear

As the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society celebrates its 30 th year in 2026, it seems fitting we recognize the woman who was responsible for its formation three decades ago, Anita TenBruggencate, who is the subject in our latest 30 Years, 30 Stories series. Anita, now an early childhood educator, worked as a caretaker during the 1990s with trainers like William Wellwood, Rob Fellows and Tom Artandi. It was during her time with the latter and working in Florida she became aware of adoption agencies for horses and was curious to see if one could be formed in Ontario. “While we were in Florida, I heard about the SRF (Standardbred Retirement Foundation, founded in 1989) and I read up on it and thought ‘why don’t we have one of these in Ontario?’” remembered Anita. “When we got back from Florida, I approached Reed Lawson who was then the General Manager of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). As a groom I was a member of OHHA and thought that was the right place to start. Reed was very open to listening to my ideas about an adoption agency and was very gracious and supportive right from the start,” said Anita. Reed put together a committee with various stakeholders from the industry, including current OSAS director Heather MacKay, then the Managing Editor of Trot Magazine. “That initial committee was very helpful, and we were able to access their contacts and knowledge to continue forward and form an actual board of directors down the road.” The committee examined the viability of an adoption agency specifically for Standardbred horses in the province. It wasn’t a fast process. Support from all sectors of the industry had to be gained, a board of directors and mandate formed, determination of how the adoption process would work, establishment of guardian and foster farm responsibilities and most importantly, a name. The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was agreed upon and the initiative moved forward. “Reed very generously gave me a place to work in the OHHA offices. He also allowed me to use their mailing list so we could send out a survey to members to see if there was enough interest to go forward. People were really positive about it, so we kept going. At first, I was strictly doing it on a volunteer basis but at one point I believe they paid me, especially once we started doing some fundraising. It’s hard to remember, after all, it’s been 30 years,” laughed Anita. Some of that fundraising consisted of going to tracks and selling raffle tickets, horse prints that were donated and OHHA swag. “I want to recognize local artist Vicky Lawrence who regularly donated originals, prints and cards for us to sell.” A major turning point in terms of fundraising came when Steve Condren, one of the top drivers in Canada for many years and now a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, allowed his name to be associated with a golf tournament, the funds raised going to OSAS. “When they asked me to be a part of this organization, I thought it was something we needed. Now I can’t see us without it,” said Condren when he reflected on the start of the tournament. “The golf tournament was a huge step forward. Steve Condren leant his name to it and that was a big deal and improved our visability and fundraising efforts considerably,” explained Anita. The tournament remains to this day one of the most popular and successful fundraising efforts every year. Once the industry saw the efforts being made by OSAS and the professional manner in which horses were being accepted into the program, adopted and monitored afterwards, funding from purses (less than one per cent) was agreed to by the regulatory body at the time, the Ontario Racing Commission. Funding from the province continued and was extended in the historic 19 year horse racing agreement signed by the government and Ontario Racing in 2018. That funding also extends to Longrun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, the Thoroughbred counterpart to OSAS which was established a few years after, in 1999. “While the initial idea for OSAS was mine, it took a lot of work by some very dedicated people to get it off the ground and running. I remember Don McNiven was very passionate about it and gave us the breeders’ perspective. He sat on the board for a few years,” Anita recalls. McNiven, who passed away in 2014, operated Killean Acres with his brother Jack for many years. “Laura Martin was a great help as well,” continued Anita. “She was one of my biggest supporters and was on the board and served as president for several years. She has a great business sense, and she helped a great deal to apply for and earn charitable status for OSAS which was huge.” Laura first heard about OSAS through the initial survey Anita sent out as her partner (John Braid) was a Standardbred trainer and therefore a member of OHHA. A rider from the age of three, Martin wasn’t very familiar with the breed but they became her favourite. “They are the best saddle horses, they’re so level headed, they learn so quickly and they’re versatile,” Laura noted in a story in TROT about OSAS a few years after it was formed. “The women in the OHHA office, Barb (Finlayson) and Yvonne (Smits), were also very helpful. Those first few years OHHA was an enormous help, we used their boardroom for meetings and I worked at their office,” Anita remembered. “Paula Wellwood (daughter of Anita’s former employer, William, and a very successful trainer herself) was another one who was very supportive and a great resource. I remember Jim Evans (OSAS’s current president), being a wonderful resource. Garry and Anne Phillips were great as well, he did an incredible job organizing the golf tournament every year, that certainly wasn’t something in my wheelhouse.” Anne, a member of the iconic Armstrong Bros. family, and Garry were hard working advocates for OSAS for many years. Garry actually served for a few years as OSAS’s administrator until his sudden passing in 2009. That’s when current administrator Joanne Colville was brought in to fill that role. “Joanne does an incredible job, she manages to keep so many balls in the air. I want to applaud her and the current board of directors (Jim Evans, Bill O’Donnell, Kelly Spencer, Ian Fleming and Heather MacKay) for their dedicated service. To the foster farms and volunteers who have kept this wonderful program going over the years, and business like Masterfeeds and Purina and all of the farms and people in the industry that support OSAS, it is so much appreciated,” noted Anita. Anita served as OSAS’s first program co-ordinator until she elected to stay home with her daughters, Elana and Cara, who are both now in their 20s. Anita continued to volunteer her services for a few years and returned in 2011 as a part time adoptions co-ordinator. “That was just after my mum died after a long fight with leukemia. I had been her main caregiver, and I was looking for something to focus on. I still had the passion for OSAS, I still have it to this day, but that was a difficult time for the program. “We were lacking foster homes and there were too many horses for us to successfully accept and rehome, it was very challenging,” said Anita of the time when the slots at racetracks program in Ontario had ended and caused distress across the industry. “I’m very happy to see the stability in the program in the subsequent years and the wonderful work of the current foster farms.” After a couple of years Anita returned to her main vocation in education, specializing in kindergarten, but she has a strong tie to OSAS to this day through her horse Jacquard. “In 1999 I had been married for two years and was about to leave OSAS to have my daughter. At that time, we were living on a farm we rented, and Tom Artandi contacted me about a two-year-old by Goalie Jeff named Jacquard. I went to see the horse. He wasn’t gelded and had a recent fracture and so he wasn’t eligible to join OSAS due to those factors. “He was a beautiful horse. In addition to the fracture, he’d also had recent colic surgery so they decided to quit with him and asked if I could take him. Although he wasn’t eligible to be an OSAS horse at that point, I had empty stalls. Tom gave us hay and grain for a year and paid for him to be gelded,” explained Anita who started riding when she was eight. “During that year he healed so he went into the program but by that time I was pretty attached to him. That first time I went to see him he was lying down due to the fracture, but he still got up to see me on three legs, it touched my heart. I guess God figured we were meant to be together and an official adoption went through. “He’s 31 now and has been an incredible companion for me and saved me a lot of money on counselling. I go out and have my therapy talks with him, we’ve always just clicked. I still ride him, he’s sound and healthy. He has Cushings (disease) and is on the lowest dose. My maiden name is Jacquemart, so that was another sign he was meant to be part of my life.” Affectionally known as Jack, he has been many folks first exposure to a horse of any kind let alone a Standardbred. “I’ve shared Jack with so many people. For a lot of them it’s their first time seeing a horse and then they get up on his back. He’s so relaxed and calm and that gives me so much pleasure to see how happy it makes them. “Of course, due to his age I’m getting anxious about the end, I pray for him to pass on his own on a sunny afternoon out in the field, but I know that’s not how it usually happens,” lamented Anita who boards Jack at Sawgrass Valley farm in Puslinch where she visits often and is on weekly night feeding. “It’s a wonderful farm with cooperative owners and great management,” said Anita who often takes Jack for walks around the property. “He doesn’t need a lead shank; he just follows me around looking for nice grass. It’s like having a big dog.” Anita still works but on a supply basis instead of full time. “It’s perfect, it lets me pay for my horse but gives me the flexibility with my schedule now which is nice.” It also allows she and her husband, Albert, to make regular trips to Alberta to visit their oldest daughter. Although she isn’t active in the racing world these days, she still takes a great interest in OSAS and the horses that graduate from the program. “I enjoy reading the stories of the horses that find forever homes and loving families. There are so many of them.” To think, that as a young caretaker, she came up with the idea to start the program which has now found well over a thousand horses a warm retirement, gives Anita a great deal of satisfaction. “When you think of how we started, when money was so tight, it was tough. But I never had any doubt and once it started to take off and got supported, it flourished. To see where it is now and all of the people and horses who are benefitting from OSAS, that really warms my heart to think I was a small part of that.”

Ontario race fans will recognize OSAS’s newest member, the simply named Ron. A seven-year-old son of Sportswriter, Ron earned close to a half million dollars during his five year career on the racetrack, all in this province. A $26,000 yearling purchase, Ron started out in the stable of Dr. Ian Moore and then moved to the stable of James “Friday” Dean where he stayed for the remainder of his successful racing life. As a sophomore, Ron tangled with the big boys, as he qualified for the 2022 North America Cup and finished fourth in the million dollar final. He was also a top performer in the Ontario Sires Stakes. Ron’s dam is Doubelieveinmagic, a winner of $169,000 on the racetrack. Her full brother, Beach Watch, has won well over half a million to date and is still campaigning, currently at Pocono, at age 11. Doubelieveminmagic only had three foals including Dontmisswithmolly, a five-year-old mare who won at Kawartha Downs this past summer for young trainer/driver and co-owner Carter Gimblett. Carter is also known at KD as the track’s former photographer having assisted his father Todd for many years. Upon his retirement last month, Ron had a summary of 9-13-18 from 81 trips behind the starting gate. He’ll be given some time to decompress before he begins training for his new career.

After a brilliant first career on the racetrack, Reverend Hanover found his second calling as one of the most well-known faces of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. He is one of several OSAS ambassadors whose role is to help spread the message of the versatility of the Standardbred breed through many different activities. The ebullient son of Sportswriter quickly made a lasting impression on those involved with the program when he joined in 2019, including OSAS Administrator Joanne Colville. “Reverend has been such an asset to the program. He, like our other ambassadors, excels in whatever he is asked to do,” praised Colville. “We are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to add him to OSAS. His previous owners still follow his progress and his accomplishments in showing the versatility of the breed. “He’s a character, and he certainly knows how good he is at whatever job you give him.” Today, Reverend Hanover can be found travelling across the Ontario harness racing circuit, primarily at Mohawk, serving as the program’s star attraction at its popular Meet & Greet and Drive With Us events. Jean Posthuma and her husband Tom have been OSAS volunteers for nearly two decades. The pair, who accompany Reverend Hanover during Meet & Greets, have become quite close with the now 14-year-old pacer. Below, Jean discusses her and Tom’s involvement with the program and their connection to one of its most beloved figures. For many people, Reverend Hanover is their first introduction to the Standardbred breed when they meet him outside Mohawk’s front door on Saturday nights during the summer and fall. What can you tell us about him and your involvement with the program? “I’ve been involved with OSAS for 19 years,” said Posthuma. “I’ve travelled to most racetracks in the area, attending events, races and horse shows. Saturday nights are spent at the main entrance of Mohawk doing Meet & Greet events. We are always promoting OSAS with information and selling our merchandise as fundraising is very important. “Over the years, there have been many horses out front but Reverend Hanover has become a fan favourite. He was a star on the track during his career. He is now 14 years old and became an ambassador for OSAS after his retirement.” What are some of your favourite memories from doing the Meet & Greet events with him? “Reverend Hanover pulls into Mohawk Racetrack most nights with his head out the window calling out. He gets so excited to meet his fans. Saturday nights have become a ‘Date Night with the Rev’ for my husband Tom and me. Over the years, we haven’t missed too many nights. “Special moments for us are watching people getting so excited to actually see a horse, being able to touch Reverend and getting so excited to feed him a carrot. Reverend Hanover is so gentle and loves the attention. Being there is a great experience for everyone, especially seeing the excitement on the children’s faces.” In your opinion, what makes Reverend Hanover the perfect ambassador for the OSAS program? “Reverend Hanover has shown that he is up for any task he is asked to do. He appeared on Breakfast Television, he’s done a TV commercial, he goes on rides such as The Hunter Pace and Hooves for Hospice, he does parades and has even participated in cattle sorting. He is amazing. “The best thing he does is give patrons a real experience of sitting behind a horse. After he is finished greeting his fans, he then goes to the paddock with a driver and will go one lap around the racetrack. This is the Drive With Us program sponsored by COSA (Central Ontario Standardbred Association). It’s the thrill of a lifetime for everyone.” You’ve been volunteering with OSAS for nearly 20 years. What has been the most rewarding part of your experience with the program? “I love horses; they are amazing animals. Each has their own personality. Being a part of OSAS is very rewarding for me. The success stories, watching them go to their forever homes and being loved – retirement for them is wonderful. “I’ve met a lot of people, made a lot of friends and learned a lot. I was not raised with animals and was nowhere near a farm. I became involved with the Racetrack Chaplaincy, and from there, started helping with barn chores. Then, I met Joanne Colville, and the rest is history.” Fun fact #1 : Reverend Hanover made 27 starts during a tremendous racing career that saw him win two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series Super Finals (2014, 2015). Fun fact #2 : Reverend Hanover, who banked over $550,000 in total purses during his career, was a $24,000 purchase at the 2013 Harrisburg Yearling Sale. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. Fun fact #3 : Reverend Hanover caught the acting bug in retirement, appearing in a 2025 Breakfast Television segment and a commercial. (Photos courtesy Jean Posthuma/OSAS) 

Hundreds of horses have been adopted through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society since its creation 30 years ago, but none with the same achievements as the recently departed True Story. That son of Kentucky Spur was a rare Standardbred who was talented on both gaits, pacing and trotting, and he became the world’s fastest double gaited performer when he won on the trot in 1:54 over Woodbine’s seven-eighths mile track as a six-year-old. His pacing record came two years earlier when he toured Balmoral Park in 1:55. To look at his pedigree, he is pacing bred with his father a star pacer who earned $1.3 million close to four decades ago. His dam, C Nanette, took a mark of 1:55.3f on the pace and earned just over $30,000. She had six foals, and True Story was the only one who trotted as well as paced. Bred by Kevin Sizer, who also campaigned C Nanette, True Story was an iron horse, racing from ages two through 12 with well over 260 lifetime starts (239 trotting, 15 pacing) and just under a half million dollars in earnings. The consistent campaigner was claimed five times in total and switched stables several times throughout his career. In May of 2007 he would enter the Paul Megens’ barn and there he would remain until his well-deserved retirement two years later. “My husband, Paul Megens, claimed him in May 2007, and we retired him in May 2009, placing him with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. After all he had achieved, he truly deserved a wonderful retirement,” explained Stacey Newman. “He was such a classy old man. We had him for wins 45 to 51, and throughout those years, he was always happy and loved his job. He was an absolute pleasure to have in our barn and was very special to us.” True Story would go on to also be very special to Graeme McIntosh of Newcastle, Ontario, who became his next, and final, owner. Graeme was looking for a riding horse and had test ridden four horses before he rode True Story, and they formed an instant bond. “I really didn’t know what I was looking for as a new rider, but there was never a real connection with any of them. Then, I rode Q (his name for True Story). The connection was instantaneous. Our personalities bonded and the rest was history,” remembered Graeme who took six riding lessons prior to adopting True Story. At the sixth lesson his mount took off over a jump causing Graeme to fall off and break a rib. True Story, on the other hand, protected his owner at all times. Their connection would last for many more years and several hardships. “He actually took care of me during a ride. I had strokes in 2014 and 2019. When I got on him afterwards, he would subtlety move his feet out to ensure I was centred and balanced. Never once did I fall off him in 15 years,” Graeme praised. In retirement True Story was known as a riding horse but Graeme made sure the other riders were aware of his previous career. “His track stories and “fame” were a bonus and bragging rights at farms,” said Graeme who kept him at various farms in the York region. True Story was always in an indoor stall and pampered when he and Graeme weren’t out on a ride. “Our normal rides were anywhere between three to four hours through the Eldred King and Durham Region forests. I did ride him; a lot!” When asked to describe Q’s temperament, Graeme is effusive. “He was a super cool and chill horse. Being a Standardbred he was bomb proof. Nothing spooked him. Although, he was not a fan of water. “When riding he was an overachiever. A small stick or log on a trail was always four feet high! And he loved children. On rides when children approached, he would lower his head for them to touch his nose. Never once did he try to nip or be aggressive.” It was True Story’s incredible temperament which led in part to his nickname. “Originally, I was going to name him Quasar. I really have no idea why. That name got shortened, thankfully, to just Q. However, he was a favourite at every barn and all the barn staff loved him. So, Q turned into Cupid,” Graeme explained. It's readily apparent that Graeme provided True Story with an incredible life following his retirement. It is also quite apparent that the horse responded in kind. True Story’s former owners were thrilled they found each other. “We were so happy when Graeme McIntosh adopted him. He gave him an amazing home and kept in touch with us throughout the rest of his life, which meant so much to us,” noted Stacey. “We will forever be grateful to Graeme for giving him such a wonderful retirement and for loving him as much as we did. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.” True Story passed away in late August of this year and is now interred at Picadilly Acres Farm in Bowmanville. Graeme wrote a moving memorial to his cherished horse on Facebook. One of the many comments was from Garry Merner Jr. who wrote: “I had the pleasure of driving him several times and winning with him. He was a great racehorse and a sweetheart to drive.” It's apparent that all who encountered this incredible horse during his lifetime quickly became enamoured thanks to his talent and wonderful disposition making the tale of True Story a love story.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would like to thank all those who contributed to yet another successful golf tournament. This year’s version was our 27 th tournament. To all of the golfers, sponsors and volunteers, please know how much your support is appreciated. OSAS is celebrating three decades of finding forever homes for retired Standardbreds and fundraisers such as the golf tournament allow us to continue that mission.

Officersoldierboy is the latest graduate from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, heading off to a forever, loving home and family. His touching story is written by Matthew Loman of WEG and is part of the 30 years, 30 stories campaign which is celebrating OSAS’s 30 th anniversary. After just a few short months at the Tottenham, Ontario, farm of Bert and Susan Mollica, Officersoldierboy moved into his forever home last week. Susan was effusive in her praise for the gentle gelding and his former owner Brenda, who showered Officersoldierboy with affection and kindness before entrusting him to the Mollicas and OSAS. “To start, I’d like to say a big thank you to Brenda for her love and care of Soldier Boy, and for making him such an easy, lovable horse for us to train and find a forever loving home for,” said Susan. Fun fact #1: Officersoldierboy’s barn name is Soldier Boy. Fun fact #2: Over his two-year career, Officersoldierboy made 42 starts across the Ontario harness racing circuit for five different trainers, recording three wins. Fun fact #3: Officersoldierboy, a four-year-old by McWicked, is the second foal of Shadowofhersmile. Her first foal, Wild Doc Holliday, is currently competing on the Ontario B circuit. What were your first impressions of Officersoldierboy? What have you come to learn about him? “He’s the sweetest boy you’ll ever meet,” said Susan. “He loves people, and he loves kids. We had a nine-year-old girl ride him four weeks after he got to us, and he just loved her. “Soldier Boy gets along with every horse he meets, too. He is so friendly; with every horse, he’s the low man in the pecking order. If one is mean or aggressive, he moves away. There’s not a mean bone in his body.” How smooth did Soldier Boy make the training process for Bert? “When he came here, he was an instant start. His previous owner (Brenda), who had donated horses to OSAS before, put so much love and attention into him that he was completely ready for us to start. “Because he already had a lot of human connection, it made it easy for Bert to go out, do a little bit of groundwork, tack him up, and start riding him. Soldier Boy can do all the obstacles in the Xtreme paddock. He can walk-trot. He stands for mounting. He also will stand at the mounting block, which is a big obstacle for some of the horses initially. “He put his trust in Bert, and everything Bert asked of him, he did it.” It sounds like Soldier Boy found the perfect match with his new family. Tell us a bit about them and how they found each other. “The woman (Andrea) who’s adopting him has her own family farm; they just bought it a year ago. She has two kids, 10 and 5, and her daughter, who’s 10, has taken some lessons, and she’s going to be riding Soldier Boy, as well. You could just tell when they met for the first time that they were in love with each other. Soldier Boy just fell in love with her. She fell in love with him – it was chemistry. “Andrea actually found out about the program because one of her friends, Shauna, adopted Reaganomics a couple months ago. Shauna’s moving Reaganomics to be with Soldier Boy, so two OSAS horses from completely different women are going to be together. “Soldier Boy found his home through a friend and that’s what makes OSAS special, and so amazing for families.”

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.”