CHS

CANADIAN HACKNEY SOCIETY

HACKNEY HALL OF FAME

 
Welcome to the Hackney Hall of Fame.  This section of our web site is dedicated to the greatest horses, ponies, exhibitors, breeders and trainers that have made an impact on the Hackney in Canada

John and Karen Brunton

There is a book called A Horse Of A Lifetime that includes a hackney pony named Seventh Heaven. He lived his entire life owned by John and Karen Brunton and to say he was a horse of a lifetime would be an understatement. John and Karen’s story started long before Seventh Heaven was born but he has been a vital part of their journey here today.

John and Karen were married May 3rd, 1975 and make their home in Carleton Place, Ontario.  They inherited their love of horses from their parents.  John grew up showing road horses with his parents Arnold and Eunice Brunton. Most notable being Effective Scott, Effective Kevin, Coverly Bud, Majestic Blue and Cameo’s Superstar.  While Karen showed a six-horse hitch of Clydesdales with her parents Warren and Marlow Campbell.

John worked as a flooring installer which he continues to do part time and Karen worked for Ontario Hydro. Horses continued to be their passion and once married John and Karen continued the tradition and started their own show string with road horses and hackney ponies, beginning with Cambridge Keys Performer.

In 1979 John and Karen welcomed into their life a daughter Rae Ann followed by a son Greg in 1983. They were thrilled to see that their love of horses and the show world continued in Greg and Rae Ann. John and Karen’s wisdom and teaching showed through when as a Christmas gift Rae Ann received what is every girl’s dream – a pony named Sedore’s Dainty Sensation. Danity was showed by Greg and Rae Ann in leadline, parade pony and showmanship classes. In 1988 High and Mighty Sir Echo was added to the show string and went on to be the Eastern Canadian Parade Pony Champion for 5 years in a row before retiring in 1993. Also, in 1988 Dun-Haven Wing Command was purchased and was shown by Karen while Rae Ann drove in the junior exhibition class. Joan of Arc and Debonaire’s Moonraker were added to the show string making names for themselves at shows.

The future for the Brunton’s would be changed in 1984 when they purchased the long tail mare Sedore’s Carnation Cadenza, she was successfully shown until the Royal of 1989. She was then bred to Dun-Haven Crescendo. This cross produced only 2 foals but they became the backbone and foundation of the breeding program at Brunton Stables. In 1990 the filly Heaven Sent was born and had a show career before retiring to breed and produced a great many offspring. Remember the Horse of a Lifetime? Seventh Heaven was born in 1991 and went on to have a short but stunning career. He was retired to stud, siring many Canadian and a few world champions, including but not limited to Calvin Hobbs, Hopkins, One More Time, Heaven Knows, Once Upon A Time, I’m In Heaven, Alexandra, Joint Venture, Lucky in Love and Visions and Dreams.

John and Karen formed a partnership with Tom and Jean Oxley which not only produced outstanding animals over the years but they give special credit to them for their excellent care of Seventh Heaven over the years as well as the love and treats lavished on him.

Over the years John has served as a director and president of both the Canadian Hackney Society and the Canadian Road Horse Association while Karen is the Horse Show Secretary for the Ottawa Valley Light Horse Association. They continue to show hackneys with their children and grandchildren. Some of the ponies shown over the years are Seven Of Spades, Mariachi, Best of Intentions, Limited Edition, Attention Please, Sent to be a Celebrity and Surprize Surprize.

In 2019, John showed Precious Cargo - a 3rd generation pony to be bred, raised, trained and shown by the Brunton family. John and Karen proved their expertise when Precious Cargo was crowned champion of both the Royal Canadian Owned Roadster Pony and Royal Canadian Hackney Roadster Pony as well as receiving the 2019 Hackney Show Pony of the Year from Equestrian Canada.

Currently, Brunton Stables continues to thrive. Each year there are 3-5 foals born and this new life brings enjoyment to people passing by who stop to see the antics of the ponies at play. John and Karen are known for their impeccable turnout even in the rain and mud and attribute much of their success to their parents and their mentors John and Phyllis Sheridan.

The legacy which began with the union between the Bruntons and the Campbells continues into the next generation. John and Karen have fostered a love and dedication to horses and the showing traditions which is being carried into the future by their 3 grandchildren Reid, Sheridan and Sadie.

In 2019 Seventh Heaven was inducted into the Canadian Hackney Society Hall of Fame. 5 years later, he is joined by our newest inductees - let us all welcome and applaud John and Karen Brunton. 

 
 

 


 

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