In December 2012, Amy McDonald and her family lost horses and animals in a tragic barn fire in Newfoundland. Later that month, her Christmas was made forever memorable after two gifts came from Ontario: a free breeding to Big Jim and a mare named Onaway.
McDonald's story and the kindness behind it made her submission the winner in the 2013 I Love Canadian Harness Racing Memorable Christmas Gift Contest.
"As you might remember, the mare was donated by Mary Paulic and the breeding to Big Jim was donated by Jim Carr after the fire that claimed the lives of my family's horses," McDonald wrote in an email to Trot Insider. "Finally, after all this time, our colt has been born."
On March 9, Onaway gave birth to a big, strong Big Jim colt.
"I spoke with the foal registry at Standardbred Canada -- who said there will be no problem getting the name I have requested -- and it looks like we finally have a name picked out for the foal."
The foal's name: Carrpaulic Jim.
"I picked this name to honour Jim Carr and Mary Paulic," continued McDonald. "I decided the night the colt was born to put Jim into [the name] for two reasons: 1) The stallion is Big Jim and 2) Onaway had a tough labour, and the man who delivered the foal is a family friend named Jim Dooling.
"Without Mr. Dooling we may have lost the foal. He and my father spent almost 12 hours at the barn that night to ensure all went well."
What a strong looking foal. I
What a strong looking foal. I hope he does well for your family. Harness racing has so many great people in it.
What a wonderful story. What
What a wonderful story. What a darling little colt.
That's why I stay in Harness
That's why I stay in Harness Racing, Great people doing great things.
I hope Carrpaulic Jim brings you happiness