CRHA Hall of Fame

Jim and Phyllis’ parents, Ross and Edna McKague. were known by many. Edna rode jumping horses as a young girl and when she married Ross they began showing commercial and hackney horses for many years at local fairs, the CNE and the Royal.

Jim soon grew to love the speed of the standardbred and bought his first road horse, Judy Gratton, at the age of 20 in 1969. He bought his first road wagon from Doc Foster around 1971 and still has it today.  Some notable Road horses Jim has shown include Judy Gratton, Josedale Gay Volo, Count Rodney, Fairmount Duke, Bodacious, Elaborate Dream, Dream of Georgie, Stormont Platinum, Magoo Again and Girl Crush. Of course his favourites are Knee Deep and Nordic Storm. Knee Deep was a hot horse and there is nothing Jim loves more than to tangle with something with a bit of spunk. Winning the bike stake in 1991 with that horse was a real thrill.  Along came Nordic Storm and what an adventure the two of them have had. Winning the Green class in 2014 for the first time was a real high. The 2015 Royal was a banner year for Jim. Winning the green class, under and over bike classes and champion and reserve bike horses with Nordic Storm and Girl Crush, what was driven by daughter Jan, was a dream no one had ever dreamt. It will be a memory forever cherished. Jim’s involvement with horses doesn’t end with the Road horse. He’s shown commercials, hackney horses, hackney ponies and Morgan’s. There’s even been a Clyde or two around.

Jim has three girls – Jan, Lorie and Kelly. All the girls have grown up in the show ring showing various breeds. Sister Phyllis’ children – Robb and Barb were right there showing too with Phyllis’ grandchildren taking an interest in the horses as well. At one time Edna McKague had 5 grandchildren showing in the Hackney Jr. Exhibitor classes. Four generations of the McKague Family have shown at the Royal Winter Fair.  Jim is very proud of his 7 grandchildren – Sarah, Luc, Jack, Scarlett, Jared, Robyn and Lochlann. He’s even begun collecting ponies in the hope some of the grandchildren will take up the horse addiction. There hasn’t been a time in 40 years that there hasn’t been a standardbred, be it race horse or show horse, in the barn in Belmore. We are proud to recognize Jim as our 2016 Canadian Road Horse Hall of Fame inductee.