OSAS Pathways: Explosive Space

TORONTO, September 8, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).

This week’s installment belongs to Explosive Space, a 15-year-old mare with a love for the outdoors, and the woman who provided her forever home, Erin MacPherson.

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,” said MacPherson. “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.

Explosive Space (ON)

Foaled: May 20, 2011

Sire: Royal Mattjesty

Dam: Springer Cam

Trainer: Paul Reid

Owner: Erin MacPherson

Breeder: Norah Parks

OSAS Program Status: Adopted

Walk us through your first impressions of Explosive Space.

“I had seen several 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, and now here we are.”

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 being in your life? 

“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.”

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Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.

OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.

Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at osashorses@gmail.com or call 905-339-6748, for more information.

Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park