Organizers for the 25th anniversary edition of the O’Brien awards are pleased to announce that Nova Scotia native Haley MacDonald will open the Gala with the Canadian national anthem.

MacDonald is from Antigonish, Nova Scotia and has been singing for many years. MacDonald graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Kinetics and currently works as a kinesiologist. She hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy at Graduate School.

Haley’s mother, Clare MacDonald, is a top trainer and driver in the Maritimes and owns and runs the family establishment, West River Stock Farm, which her grandfather founded years ago.

This will mark the second time that MacDonald will sing O’Canada at the O’Brien awards; the first time was in 2011.

MacDonald is looking forward to performing at the 25th anniversary of the awards, “The awards epitomize success and recognize the hard work and dedication of the men and women who put hours into this sport, “ she commented. “To be a part of something so spectacular is a privilege and to be able to sing in front of a home crowd makes it extra special.”

Standardbred Canada would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to all of the talented individuals that applied to sing the anthem at the 2013 awards.

The O’Brien Awards take place on Saturday, February 8 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel and PEI Convention Centre.