For Quincy Hayes, there was no question life was going to be all about horses. In the saddle before she could walk, the Aurora, ON, native practically grew up on the back of a pony, and didn’t mind one bit.
“My mom had a business with two other professionals growing up so I always had every opportunity to ride,” explained Hayes. “My grandmother also had a small farm in Michigan, so whenever we would go to visit her I would always ride whatever horses she had in the barn at the time.”
Her mother Darcy was one of her first coaches, and has remained her biggest cheerleader. “She knows how I ride better than anyone else, and how to tell me things to make the biggest impact,” said Hayes, who has also worked with Sally Sainsbury, Marni Von Schalberg, Chris Sorensen, and Robert Vos.
One of her early equine teachers was Sparky, the 11.2hh pony her parents bought when Hayes was six, which coincidentally was the same age as the pony. She fondly describes Sparky as “the biggest character in the barn” who was “always escaping and causing trouble.”
Together, the pair enjoyed a successful stint in the short stirrups before Hayes moved on to other ponies, competing in the small, medium and large divisions before eventually moving into the children’s hunters, jumpers and equitation classes. Sparky, who is still owned by Hayes, continues to teach other young athletes to ride, and still manages to get into all kinds of trouble, even after 20 years.
In 2008, Hayes had her first big taste of success after winning both the prestigious Jump Canada Medal Final and the coveted CET Medal Final at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Two years later she earned an impressive eighth place in the USET Talent Search Medal Final. She also has two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Equestrian National championship titles from her time at Auburn University in Alabama to round out her collection.
But it’s been this past year where Hayes has really come into her own as a rider, just two short years after turning pro. With a family already heavily involved in equestrian sport, including a professional coach and rider for a mother, it’s little wonder Hayes choose to follow in the same hoof prints.
Aboard her current mount, Calgary 56 (Carinjo x Cassini I), a 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding she c-owns with Sorensen Stables, Hayes claimed second in the CSI 2* Open Welcome at The Erin Welcome, held at Angelstone Farms in Rockwood, ON, in June. The pair also finished an impressive fifth in the CSI 2* $100,000 Grand Prix during the Ottawa International in July.
One of the early highlights of their 2016 season included finishing seventh in the Under 25 (U25) Semi-Final during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, where she also had the opportunity to compete as part of Team Canada in the Artisan Farms U25 Team Event Grand Prix. With three other up-and-coming young Canadian riders, Ben Asselin of Calgary, AB, Sarah Bagworth of Toronto, ON, and Sarah Johnstone of Collingwood, ON, she went head-to-head over two rounds with 65 other riders competing in the team event, where Canada triumphantly brought home the silver medal.
“Competing for Canada in a Nations’ Cup was an incredible experience,” said Hayes. “I’ve been lucky enough to ride in a team setting before as part of the Auburn University Equestrian Team, but it’s a feeling that never gets old. The support and camaraderie that goes along with team competition is second to none. Although the added pressure can be intense, that kind of challenge is something I really enjoy and helps push me to be a better rider. All you want to do is put in an effort your team can be proud of, and when you do, it’s such a rewarding and overall happy feeling.”
That experience helped prepare Hayes for another larger than life competition – the Uplands U25 Jumping National Championship, which wrapped up on Nov. 12 at this year’s Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. She finished as the top Canadian and Reserve Champion, coming in just behind Ireland’s Daniel Coyle after he earned back-to-back victories in the two-phase final to claim the title.
Hayes began her ride to the Reserve Championship title after earning second place in the $12,500 Alfred Rogers U25 National Championship – Phase 1 on Nov. 10 with Calgary 56.
“I know with my horse it’s better to stay a little smoother and not rush the first couple lines, so I thought my plan went really well,” Hayes said of her experience. “Calgary is a fantastic horse and he tries his heart out. He’s proven time and time again to be a horse that steps up in every atmosphere – grass, indoors, at night – it’s never a problem for him, so he’s been a really great horse.”
Returning to the ring for the $12,500 Alfred Rogers U25 National Championship – Phase 2 on Nov. 12, Hayes and Calgary 56 laid down a clear round to secure their berth back to the jump-off, which featured a total of nine horse-rider combinations. Quick and clear until the very last jump, Hayes lowered the final oxer but achieved one of the fastest four-fault rounds to take fifth place.
“I’m 25 now, so unfortunately this is my last year doing the U25 series. It was a great way to finish, I couldn’t have asked for any more,” explained Hayes, who recently graduated from Auburn University on a full riding scholarship, but has now returned to Aurora, ON, to run Hayes Equestrian, a full-service hunter, jumper and equitation stable, with her mother. Next season’s plans include a return trip to Wellington, FL, where Hayes hopes to ride in some larger FEI classes.
“There are so many options in Florida that the possibilities are endless for classes I’m able to compete in if my horses feel ready,” said Hayes. “It’s during the winter circuit I’ll start to make plans for the summer. We’re lucky enough to have some great venues nearby like Palgrave, Angelstone and Ottawa, where I can do some FEI classes and the classes our customers need. We do like to compete in some shows in the States as well, like Kentucky, Traverse City and Harrisburg.”
“Right now I have my main horse Calgary, but I’m also lucky enough to have a great group of customers who allow me to show their horses in everything from 1.35m jumpers to hunter derbies. I’d love to be able to start building a small string of horses, as well as help my mom expand and grow our business, and eventually I’d like to be able to show internationally and represent my country on more nations’ cup teams.”
For Hayes, it was never a choice. Life with horses was in her blood, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Riding really for me is my absolute passion. Every day is different and it is the most humbling sport imaginable. There are some 16 hour days where you wonder why you subject yourself to this, but in the end it’s what I love doing the most. You’re always pushing yourself to go that little bit higher, that little bit faster. And being able to connect with an animal with a mind of its own is something not everyone can say. I’m lucky enough to wake up every day still loving what I do.”
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