CRHA Hall of Fame

Horses have been in the McLean blood for years. Four generations of McLean’s from Acton, Ontario, have shown horses. Donald McLean, Ross’ grandfather was well known in the Commercial horse ring. Lloyd helped him at the local fairs and also had a Hackney horse. In 1974, Lloyd and Ross started into road horses. He and Matt McDougall went to Kentucky and bought a buggy, team harness, and single harness from Shine Ogan. Mary Croft sold them their first road horse, Star Away B.

Lloyd and his wife, Lois, and Ross, along with his wife, Doreen, and their children, Steve, Sherri, and Scott, trained and showed road horses for several years until ill health caused Lloyd to give it up. Ross’ family all learned to drive with a horse called Mr. Guy Wire. In the early days, Ross did most of the showing and received his first victory at the Royal Winter Fair in 1977 in the over buggy class with Tanglefoot Mike. In 1988 and 1989, Victor Dol received Grand Champion Stallion honours at the Royal. Another stallion, Gravitate, received the same honours in 1991 and 1992. Other notable stablemates have been Country Moon, Cocoa Hempt, Glibb’s Glory, and Lucky Colony. And then there is Midday Special, who is really quite special and counts among his many wins the 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2000 Canadian Bike Championships at the Royal.  Midday still enjoys a great life, taken care of by the McLean family

Ross & Doreen and Lloyd & Lois were inducted into the CRHA Hall of Fame in 2014.  Lloyd was President of the Canadian Road Horse Association in 1979 and 1980, receiving much support from Lois. Ross served as a Director of the Association for many years. With all of the family being strong supporters of the Association, they organized several fundraising events at the Ballinafad Community Hall. These dances were supported by horse friends and members of several Agricultural Societies such as Acton, Brampton, Erin, Georgetown and Milton. These events were quite successful, a lot of fun and drew the horse and fair community together. The music was provided by Marion’s Country Band.

The McLean name is still out there in the show ring today. Ross and Doreen’s 3 children all continue the family tradition. Sherri Archdekin and Steve and Scott McLean. Steve won the Buggy Stake in 2012 and 2013 with Armbro Beau.  Sherri and Scott are also active in the show ring and supporters of the CRHA. Sherri is the current served as the CRHA Secretary and Webmaster from 2011 – 2020. As well, Lloyd and Lois’ great grandchildren show their love of the horses both at home and in the show ring. Unfortunately, Lloyd, Ross and Doreen left us far too soon.