Who Are We?

We are a small, non-profit and independent group of volunteers dedicated to promoting the Standardbred horse and Harness Racing and receive non-monetary, promotional support from various equine organizations, including those in the harness racing industry, the arts community, the Ontario library system, key writers groups and mainstream and social media.

Bill Galvin
Bill has been a lifer in horse racing. A resident of the GTA, Bill’s vast industry experience includes; a groom, a racing official, a publicist, a writer, an author, a historian, an educator, and an active promoter of the harness racing industry and its participants.

Karen Hauver
Having grown up in a prominent harness racing family, Karen has had many jobs within the industry, including the position of Ontario Sires Stakes Administration Coordinator for the past 20 years.

Dean Leifso
Dean is a former Standardbred breeder. He has a law office in Hanover, ON and is the Chairman of Hanover Raceway and Past Chair of Standardbred Canada.

Ruleen Lilley
As a partner in the Standardbred breeding operation of Mac Lilley Farms, Ruleen has experience with grooming, training, breeding, marketing, nutrition, and business management. She served on the Standardbred Canada board for six years, including as Breed Chairperson.

Kathy McBride
Kathy and her husband are partners in Bridewood Farm where they breed, foal, train and race Standardbred race horses of their own and for clients. Currently they have 10 horses of their own and also own/operate McBride Feeds, specializing in Purina equine feeds for 29 years.

Andrea Pietrzak
Andrea has been a horse owner for 30 years. After a decade at The Canadian Sportsman, Andrea is currently teaching at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

Ann Straatman
Ann and her two cousins are owners-managers of one of Ontario’s premier Standardbred breeding farms, Seelster Farms of Lucan, ON. She is also the Sales Manager for the London Selected Yearling Sale.

Dr. Sarah Tiller
Dr. Tiller graduated OVC in 1985 and spent 25 years in private practice before her retirement. A horse owner for almost 50 years, Dr. Tiller is currently teaching for the University of Guelph’s Diploma program Equine Care and Management at the REACH Centre in Clinton, Ontario.