The Canadian Hackney Society is proud to introduce the 2007 CHS Hackney Hall of Fame inductees. Congratulations to all who were inducted. Thank you to all who voted and nominated, and a special thank you to John Fullerton, CHS Hackney Historian.
CHS Hackney Hall of Fame
Breeder – Les Gunby
Les Gunby has won the Premier Breeders Award consecutively from 1983 to 1988. He has been in the pony business since 1958 and has sold ponies to the USA, Bermuda and across Canada. Some of the most notable ponies are: Flyers Sensation, Casillis High Flyer, Flyers Black Magic, Flyers Miss Sonnet, Flyers Morning Star, Flyers Country Squire, Flyers Chocolate Soldier, and Flyers Miss Coronation.
Exhibitor – Jean Smith
Jean Smith has been involved with Hackney ponies for over 70 years, driving such ponies as Key's Temptation, Glory Bound and Country Road. Jean traveled to many country fairs as well as the Royal and other main events. She was responsible for giving many juniors their start in the show ring. Jean remains an avid supporter to the Society. Her granddaughter will continue to provide the Smith entry in future shows.
Legacy – Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gilbert & Charles Gilbert Jr.
Charles and Ruby Gilbert
Charles Gilbert, Jr.
Charles Gilbert and his wife Ruby established Gilberts Harness and Saddle shop in Toronto prior to 1920. At that time, the city still had many horses within the city boundaries making deliveries and for personal transportation. Their shop supplied harness and supplies to the commercial firms in the city, show and racing stables, and hobbiests for close to 60 years, as well as operating a mail order service to customers across Canada.
They made many contacts with their harness customers, buying and selling commercial horses, Saddle Horses, and in particular, Hackney horses and ponies. Their first large transaction was the thirty horses and ponies bought in 1943 from the Dodge Stables in Michigan. Crystal Lady, a seven time Stake winner at the Royal Winter Fair, and a winner at every leading show she was exhibited at arrived at this time, as did Seaton Leader, a Hackney horse exhibited by Wallace Munro that would claim many wins at the Royal Winter Fair and on the fall fair circuit. Seaton Electra, The Bandleader, Seven Up, Golden Lady, City Star, Victory Maid, and Kings Marvel are included in that transaction that would bring some of the most sought after bloodlines to Canada. Another transaction of importance would be the shipment from the Longview Farm in Missouri. Included would be the mares that crossed so well with Dufferin Haven that put breeding from the Dufferin Stock Farms as leaders in the Hackney horse classification from the late 1950's until the early 1970's, and the bloodlines continue until this day. There were many others, such as the complete stable of Daniel McCarriagher of Buffalo.
The Gilberts exhibited some of their own Hackney entries in the 1930's as well. Mrs. Gilbert was also a leading exhibitor of Shetland ponies at the many horse shows held in Toronto at that time. Mrs. Gilbert was one of the first ladies elected as a director of the Canadian Hackney Society, and Charles Jr. was secretary of the society in the 1940's. Charles Jr. also acted as agent to bring many winning horses to Canada and dealing in carriages as well, selling to customers as far as California. The contribution made by the Gilberts to import the best bloodlines available to will be recognized by Hackney breeders and exhibitors for year to come.
Show Horse - Haven's Music Man
Haven's Music Man the son of Heartzett Paddy and Miss American, Music Man won the Canadian Hackney Horse Championship in 1984-85 and won many championships throughout Canada and US. His career extended 12 years.
Show Pony - Rags to Riches
Rags to Riches, the son of Casilis Debonaire and Jewel's Pride, was a full brother to the great Rag A Muffin. His career spanned over 20 years. Championships included the UPHA final in Kansas City, Junior World Championship in Louisville Kentucky and numerous Red Ribbons at the Royal Winter Fair. He competed not only in singles, but pairs and tandem with Rymes and Reason, Jr. Exhibitor Classes, Ladies Amateur and Gig Classes. This all round great pony retired in 2004.
Stallion - Fashion King
Fashion King # 1607 (King of Kings x Golden) was bred by Mrs. Victoria Armstrong of ABC Farms in Brampton. He left his mark on the breed not only as an outstanding sire of breeding stallions and broodmares. Many of the top ponies showing today trace back to Fashion King. Fashion King started his breeding career in Canada and later stood at the Dun Haven Farm in Michigan and the Kolkman Farm in Iowa where his bloodline also laid the foundation for the future success of these breeding dynasties. Offspring of Fashion King include the great breeding stallion Dun-Haven Imperial, Dun-Haven Coronet and Hallelujah. He sired the outstanding show ponies: Debbie's Fashion, Creation's Creola's King, Dun-Haven Captivation, Fashion's Miss Allice, Dun-Haven Cavalier, Dun-Haven Inspiration and Sweet Echo. Fashion King also produced the broodmares, Dun-Haven Countess, Dun-Haven Crystal (dam of Dun-Haven Crescendo) and Dun-Haven Fashion Flair. Fashion King is truly a foundation sire of the modern Hackney pony.
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To learn more about the Canadian Hackney Society, visit www.hackney.ca.