Don McAllister was born on September 15th, 1956 in Collingwood, Ontario, the son of Russel and Jaclyn McAllister.  Donnie married his wife, and true love, Cindy on April 8th 1995.  Don and Cindy established Bear Creek farm in 1997 in Utopia, Ontario.  Don and Cindy started slowly and soon started adding high quality mares, giving Canadians a reason to shop on this side of the border.  Don not only bred Hackney ponies – he was instrumental in getting new breeder’s and exhibitors started, often offering new people ponies for free to get them started in the Hackney fraternity.   The accomplishments of Don and Cindy’s Bear Creek Farm in just seven years of existence are impressive to say the least.  With the exception of the recently established Pleasure Pony and Roadster Pony Futurity classes, Bear Creek bred ponies have won every futurity class offered in both the Canadian and Ontario futurities, some classes several times over.  On the world scale Don and Cindy won two National futurity titles and have been in the top ribbons everywhere they have shown.  With trainers like Gib Marcucci, Gene Carstens, Roger Lucus, Jim Spurrier, Bob Rodebush, Bill Becker, Dave Smith, Mark Annet, Art Alderman and Danny Trudeau, the McAllister family have enjoyed success in the horse show ring on both sides of the border. Donnie was a Director and President of the Canadian Pony Society, Director of the Ontario Hackney Association and Director and Vice President of the Canadian Hackney Society.  A respected judge, Donny judged shows all across Ontario as well as in Michigan and the National Shetland Congress in Columbus, Ohio.  Don and Cindy McAllister of Bear Creek farm have made a positive impact on the Hackney breed that will be felt for generations to come. (Inducted March 2005)