William Harris

William A Harris, (Bill), was raised in the Parkdale area of Toronto. For much of his life, his activities centred around the area near the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds. As a young boy, he was given a pony by the Northgrave family, who were exhibitors of hunters and Hackney ponies. This pony would be the first of many that he owned over the next 50 years.

His earliest entries at horse shows were a jumper named Hotcha, and a variety of Hackney ponies, Melbourne King, Seaham Marvel, Seaham Magnate, Little Marvel, Northern King, Southworth Pride, Southworth Monarch, Southworth Sensation and Southworth Beau. Many of these ponies came from the Johnston P. Porter estate, St. Catharines in 1935 and Mary-Louise Kittinger from Buffalo. He was a leading pony exhibitor in Ontario until the war ended showing, competing in all classes in the division, from single to four in hand events. In 1949 he had some Hackney horses, Lavington King, Country Gossip, and Lucky Girl that carried his name into the early 1950s. For many years, the horses and ponies were kept at the Doug Ness farm at Downsview, now within the City of Toronto. Between showing horses and ponies, he married, had a family and raced his boat Pussyfoot on Lake Ontario in Toronto harbour.

In business, Bill's father William G. Harris was in the metal trade, Graham Nail and Wire Products. The early Harris place of business was north of the CNE grounds close to the Dufferin Gate on Fraser Avenue. Bill established the Aristocrat Manufacturing Company. This firm manufactured and sold porcelain toilet tanks. The design proved to be popular and continue to be used today. In time, the business had distributors in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver in addition to head office in Toronto. When the opportunity to sell this concern took place, Bill then moved into wholesale plumbing fixtures. This also was a success, and after a period of time, it was sold and a new venture was developed at a location on Pelham Ave. Partnering with a California firm, Bill designed, manufactured and sold a truck camper. When in use, the top could be raised mechanically for ease of moving inside, and when traveling could be lowered for wind resistance.

In addition to his many enterprises, he joined the horse show committees at the CNE and Royal Winter Fair. He was involved with the CNE as president of the fair in 1955 and 1956 with a fifty years involvement. His Royal Winter fair involvement began in 1950 as a member of the horse show committee, where he remained a member until the early 1990s. He was a long-time member of the fair's programme and prize list committee and chairman of the horse show committee in 1970 and 1971. He was fair president in 1972 and 1973. Many members of the family became involved in various committees of the fair. Son Bill Harris for many years was on the ring committee. David McPhail, son-in-law, was also on the ring committee, joined the horse show committee and served as chairman. Bill's daughter Patricia showed her Saddlebreds, Johnny Beaverkettle and King's Fancy Vision during the early 1960s. At this time, there were still riding stables close to downtown Toronto and the Harris family boarded riding horses and ponies at the Richview Riding Stable.

Bill was a life member of the Canadian Hackney Society. He became a director in 1948 and assumed the position of Secretary. In this role he remained until 1955. Following a term as president in 1960 and 1961, he remained a director until 1983. Bill was also a director of the Canadian Pony Society.

In the early 1970s, the Harris' retired to Erin, Ontario and bought Cambridge Wally's Pride. Under the care of Matt and Myrtle MacDougall, Wally's Pride was a successful show pony. She won many single classes, in hand classes and pair and tandem with Cassilis the Norman, Polly Poppin, or Apollo's Spring Cheer. Bill and Myrtle shared the driving duties. Matt handled the tandem as well as sharing the driving of the open stake pony Gettysvue Night Train. Living close to Matt and Myrtle's farm allowed him the to drop by regularly to see his ponies.

Bill was from a generation of exhibitors that showed Hackneys for the pure pleasure of owning fine animals and watching them in the show ring. His commitment and time spent on the administrative and organizational side served the Hackney society well over a long period of time.