Clare Hayes graduated in 1968 and started working for the Sunderland Co-operative. Before retiring in 2010, he held the position of General Manager for twenty-seven of his forty-two years there. Recently, he was recognized for for a lifetime of horsemanship and sportsmanship.
Growing up on the family farm in Cambray, ON, ponies were part of everyday life for the Hayes family children and their parents. The passion for horses really showed up for Clare when in 1956, he showed a dappled chestnut Shetland pony at the Cannington Fair.
In 1979, Clare took over the family farm with his wife Mary and their two sons Dennis and Bryan. The farm name is a combination of their two names, BRYDEN. Clare has bred and raised 41 Hackney Bryden ponies. Over time he showed Hackney, Shetland and Welsh ponies. Bryden farm is located near Lindsay so it was natural for Clare to be involved in the Lindsay Fair for many years. As well, different horse and pony associations, benefitted from his extensive knowledge.
Clare is shown driving a Standard bred named Impressive. After racing him for a few starts, Impressive was later converted to a Roadster Horse. In the photo Clare is showing him at the World Championship Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
Family is important to Clare and Mary. Dennis and Gen have a son Everett and a daughter Emma. Dennis works in the technology industry as well as raising Morgan horses. Bryan and Ruth have a son Ben and a daughter Natalie. Bryan is a licensed plumber at the Darlington Nuclear Plant and has purchased the family farm. Clare is still involved with the farm even though he now lives in the town of Lindsay.
In Clare’s yearbook posting, it stated that he hoped to find a job in the industrial part of agriculture and also combine his pleasure for show ponies. It appears he has done both and is now passing his horsemanship to his grandchildren. Congratulations on all your achievements as a horseman, a businessman, a Kemptville grad, and above all, a family man.