2023 hALL OF FAME iNDUCTEES
"The Lights from our Past Illuminate our Future"
- Bill Brass - Quebec 1911 -1993
- David Carson - Ontario 1946 -
- Gib Robbins - Saskatchewan 1911 -2000
- Gilbert Robison - New Brunswick 1904 - 1982
nOW LETS READ ALL ABOUT THEM
BILL BRASS - QUEBEC 1911 -1993
Bill Brass was born in the Orkney Islands of Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1938.Bill settled in Lachute, Quebec where he worked as a farm manager at North River Farms, owned by Dr. Ronald McCall. He was responsible for the management of the purebred Angus herd and a sheep flock, along with managing the forage needs of the Jersey barn and the riding horse stable. Winter months were spent cutting and splitting wood for the farm’s sugar camp where approximately 5,000 cans were tapped each year.For many years, Bill showed Angus cattle. He also began his own legacy of breeding and showing Clydesdale horses. He started out with a team of purebred mares that, a few years later, led to him driving his own six horse hitch.Bill enjoyed many years showing in Quebec and Ontario in both line and hitch classes. Through his many trips to the Royal Winter Fair, he was extremely proud to win Reserve Grand Champion Mare with Blackhall Cherry Blossom and North River Belle. He was also awarded Best Canadian Mare Bred, Born, Raised and Owned in 1977. Another proud accomplishment was exporting the homebred mare North River Lady to John Young of Girvan Main, Scotland in November 1976. Through the years, Bill imported horses for himself, but many friends and fellow Clydesdale breeders put their full trust in him to find and import horses for them as well.Bill had many experiences travelling across Canada and into the United States judging, and was honoured to judge both the Clydesdales and Percherons at the Royal. He also thoroughly enjoyed his trips back to Scotland with his wife, Barbara – especially the ones to the Royal Highland Show. He was always dedicated to the Clydesdale breed and was a life member, long-time Director and Past President of the Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada.Bill was a devoted family man, dedicated friend and neighbor to many, and had a true passion for top quality Clydesdales. Bill passed away in 1993. He was 82.
DAVID CARSON - ONTARIO 1946 -
William David Carson was born February 19, 1946 to Albert and Elaine Carson at Listowel, Ontario. He was the oldest of four children. His father, Albert, ran a farm equipment business so David learned about business and sales at an early age. His mother, Elaine, did all the work on their family farm with the horses. He learned those horsemanship skills from her.At the age of 19, David started with a small farm and a few dairy cows, and then decided to become an auctioneer. The rest is history. Known far and wide for his auctioneer skills, his deep booming voice, his quick wit and sense of humor inspired the bids to come in.In 1979, David had his first horse sale in a tent set up where the sale barn stands today. The success of that first sale prompted David to predict that there would be a strong comeback of the draft horses, whether for show or work. Later, people came from all across Canada and the United States to either buy or sell in his new indoor arena and sale barn.For several years, David showed Belgian horses but, on July 1, 1985, he had a dispersal of 73 Belgians and switched to the Clydesdale breed. He has shown his Clydesdales across North America for over fifty years. He won the six horse hitch at the Royal Winter Fair many times. He bred Carson’s Delight to be judged World Champion Mare. David has also placed many geldings to Budweiser and sold his complete six horse hitch that went on to win the World Show in Wisconsin in 2007. Most recently, he won the six horse hitch in 2015 at the World Show in London, Ontario. David is also a well-respected judge of all draft horse breeds, having judged all across North America and the Highland Show in Scotland and the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.David has imported and exported many horses all over Canada, United States and the United Kingdom. He is not only a promoter of the Clydesdale horse, but a strong community-minded person supporting minor sports, 4-H clubs and other youth activities. He proudly supports the Listowel Fair and any other function in the community. He has been inducted into the Perth County Agricultural Hall of Fame, is a former councilor in his municipality and a long-time member of the Atwood Lions Club. People from the USA or other provinces going to a show, or just in transit, would often need a place to layover. If you needed a nurse mare, a replacement cow or heifer to a drop calf, David is still the man to call.David Carson – a father, grandfather, neighbor, friend and a showman – is a tribute to the Clydesdale horse. May he carry on Carson Farms and Auctioneer for many more years to come. S O L D
GIB ROBBINS - SASKATCHEWAN 1911 - 2000
Gib Robbins was born on his father’s original homestead near Laura, Saskatchewan on April 25, 1911. On October 12, 1940 he married Georgina Skiriving and they raised a family of two sons and one daughter.The Robbins bought a small farm of their own and in 1944 they purchased two Clydesdale maraes from their brother-in-law, Jim Morris. These mares were Phyllis Footprint, along with her dam, Lady Dunduff. Two years later, they purchased another mare from Jim, Lady Strathore. They used a stallion by the name of Netherpride, grandson of Dunure Footprint, owned by Georgina’s father. Not only did the Robbins have good breeding horses, but they raised and sold some very good geldings. The Hallamore Clydesdales purchased Monarch, one of their best.Gib was active in many other agriculture related areas as well. Those activities included announcing chuck wagon and chariot races for a number of years, as well as volunteering with the Saskatchewan Clydesdale Association, The Saskatchewan Horse Breeder’s Association and the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon.Gib passed away in 2000. He was 89.
GILBERT ROBISON - NEW BRUNSWICK - 1904 - 1982
Gilbert Robison was born in New Brunswick on December 5, 1904. Early in life he became very interested in all agriculture related activities.Gilbert was a born leader who exhibited an interesting mix of character traits. He was fiercely competitive and frenetically busy as a first-class marketer, yet equally gifted as an encourager and mentor. He also was a deeply devoted family man.The Robison family knew early success with Holstein cattle; however, life events created an evolution to Jersey cows and Clydesdale horses. A stroll through numerous photo albums at Campburn Farms will yield an overflowing combination of photos of brown cows and bay horses. One particularly striking photo shows six to eight Clydes grazing in the front field beside a busy highway #3. The rooms downstairs at the Campburn farmhouse are full of trophies won by the family’s internationally renowned Jersey herd and their beloved Clydesdale horses.The yard at Campburn Farms became the regular spot for hitching up teams for participation in annual Harvey Days celebrations and associated parades. Gilbert loved showing throughout New Brunswick, the Atlantic Winter Fair when it was in Halifax, and the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. He drew energy from working with other horsemen, teaching and learning. He inspired, educated, encouraged and mentored scores of people in the cattle business, in the horse realms and within his own community. These include many people who regard Gilbert and his beloved wife, Ruth, as their great life mentors. He was the best version of the phrase “livewire”. When he “dove” into something, he was “all in”. He brought and added life to every interaction. He made owning Jerseys and Clydesdales look very appealing, and he kindly sold those passions to others. The world remains impacted by his enthusiasm and energy.Today, his family have found a way back into the Clydesdale business and are loving it. More than four decades after his passing, Gilbert Robison’s family are once again deeply involved with one of his life’s most dearly cherished passions. In the summer of 2021, Clydesdale horses returned to Campburn Farms, Harvey Station, New Brunswick when Shawn Little and his wife, Melissa, entered into an agreement with a local horse owner to have two Clydesdales reside at the farm. After an absence of 39 years, Gilbert’s grandchildren are learning about the wonders of Clydesdales that graze the pastures and live in the barns at Campburn. Three generations of the family are involved in helping to care for them.Gilbert’s life, and the lives of those he impacted, are proof that what we do can long outlive us and span multiple generations. Gilbert passed away on May 29, 1982. He was 78.Passion breathes life into future passion