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R.C. (Clare) Pettapiece
Clare along with the support of his wife Helen, has enthusiastically
exhibited Hackney ponies for over 50 yrs. He has owned such greats
as Souvenir’s Pompador Cadet Commander, Pilot Model, Toast of the Town,
May Day Gypsy and Flame of Fire. He served on the Board of Directors of the
Canadian Hackney Society for many years and as President in 1973-1974.
After many years in the show ring he sought to demonstrate the Hackney’s
tremendous potential in the carriage driving arena. He has proudly competed
with his ponies in singles, pairs, tandem and four in hand divisions before
it was fashionable to show Hackneys in carriage driving competitions. He
successfully shown his four in hand at the Canadian Carriage Driving Championships,
Walnut Hill, and at Lexington Junior League. In 1985 he was Reserve
North American Four in Hand Champion and winner of the Concours d’Elegance
Trophy at the Canadian Carriage Driving Classic. In 1984 he had the great
honour of exhibiting his ponies in the Cavalcade of Horses at the Los Angeles
Olympics. Clare was also invited to participate in the Centennial Celebration
of the American Hackney Horse Society at the World’s Championship Horse Show
in Louisville, Kentucky. There he exhibited his four in hand put to a Park
Drag Coach and a tandem of his ponies. He has carefully restored all of the
carriages in his impressive collection. His most notable achievement
has been Clare’s encouragement of youth. Not only have his children and grandchildren
been involved with Hackneys but also many neighbourhood kids and family friends.
(Inducted March 2003)
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