DECEMBER 2017 THE RIDER /29 Selling Fincham’s Harness Shop: Sinnotts’ Turnkey Offering


begins Lauryn. That was back when she worked in medical technology, and Brian was a land surveyor. Then, in 1972, after visiting Canada for the first time, they decided to leave Cape Town the following year and settle down where they each found a new calling in their new life. “We worked on a farm when we first came. I looked after a little girl, and he worked with the horses, and we knew the fellow that had started Fincham’s. He’d only had it a couple of months at that point,” continues Lauryn. Before moving to Canada, Brian had always found ways to work with his hands, fixing cars or building furni- ture. Ron, a master saddler, had al- ways dreamed of moving up north. “So we bought the business from him, and we have had it for over 40 years,” explains Lauryn. Ron Fincham and Brian Sinnott formed a close friend- ship while master taught his student about his craft and business. “Ron stayed for nine months and worked with Brian; you do learn very quickly


Updated from an original story written by Yevgenia Casale which appeared in King Country Magazine’s Autumn 2017 issue. Article and photos gener- ously provided by Yevgenia Casale. “We came from South Africa,”


work on gear purchased elsewhere too. Even if the repair is on some thirty dol- lar halter, the work is always done with the same attention to quality. That business model served Fincham’s well over the years. With a smile, she retells the story of a customer they had not heard from in so long they assumed she had retired. “But, she is still around. She called and said, ‘Brian, you have to do something different. I’m still using your halter. It’s 20 years


ing,” shares Lauryn. “I’ve always done the business side of it, all the paper- work. I’ve always had a home office, so when the kids were younger, I could do my billing from there. In the last few years, I haven’t been able to spend as much time physically at the store, and I honestly miss that because we are very fortunate to have an amazing customer base. We have customers that we have had for 40 years.” Fin- cham’s clients are the sort of people who care deeply for their horses, the same way they treat their babies. Fincham’s does a lot of repair


when you have to.” After that, Brian continued to hone his craft, creating everything from pet accessories, belts and purses to artisan equine halters and saddles. “Brian does the fixing and build-


the store will close allowing the own- ers some well deserved time off. But you can bet that they’ll welcome any- one who calls ahead with a needed re- pair job or other project. They will not easily be replaced, and when they find a new owner, the Sinnott’s will stay to train and work with new Fincham’s


Blue Ribbon Days Percherons Named $25,000 Six-Horse Draft Champions at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show


Toronto, Ontario – The horses of Blue Ribbon Days Percherons, owned by the Albert Cleve and Jim Day families and driven by Dean Woodbury, won the $25,000 Royal Six-Horse Draft Championship on Saturday, November 11, at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 95th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON. The $25,000 Royal


Six-Horse Draft Champi- onship, presented by Ames Construction Inc., was the culmination of five days of six-horse, breed-specific competition at The Royal, with the top three Belgian, Clydesdale, and Percheron hitches invited to contest Saturday night’s champi- onship in front of a sold-out crowd in the Ricoh Coli- seum. The Blue Ribbon Days


Percherons hitch of Farm- ington, MO, finished second in Friday’s Percheron Six- Horse Hitch class to qualify for Saturday night’s champi- onship, where they claimed the prestigious title. “It’s a great honour to


win at The Royal,” said Dean Woodbury, who first contested The Royal in 1982. “It makes you feel good to win the last show of the year no matter what you’ve done the rest of the time!”


While Woodbury fre-


quently drives a talented team of geldings for Blue Ribbon Days Percherons, it was a team of mares that took the win on Saturday night. “There was lots of


power in that ring tonight and lots of very good hitches


all the way


through,” said Woodbury. “The horses get driven at least every other day, if not every day. They’re just like an athlete; they have to be trained and toned. You want them to be fit to go into the


Lauryn and Brian Sinnott


and Lauryn are ready to do for someone else, what an old friend did for them, more than 40 years ago. Nobleton’s renowned Fin- cham’s Harness Shop is for sale and that’s excellent news for the next eager stu- dent who wants to learn from this master. This past summer the couple sold the building and since then, 68-year-old Brian and 65-year- old Lauryn Sinnott have continued to operate the widely respected tack and harness shop, for now. The new build- ing owner has given them a flexible lease into next spring. However, at the end of this year,


old. How can you stay in business. “It is a long time of knowledge,” agrees Lau- ryn, adding, ’ I can honestly say I’ve never had a day of boredom.” Now, in 2017 Brian


owner/operators, like they were trained by Ron Fincham. They need to ensure a smooth transition for the new boss and their regular customers. This unique opportunity is perfect for a person who wants to work with their


hands, and be self employed. They will re- ceive the benefit of a lifetime of knowledge of a true craftsman who will share his skills and hand over the reigns of an established turnkey operation, complete with a loyal and dedicated clientele.


Cleve and Jim Day families, won the $25,000 Royal Six-Horse Draft Championship on closing night| of the 2017 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


Blue Ribbon Days Percherons, driven by Dean Woodbury and owned by the Albert ring.” Taking the Royal Six-


Horse Draft Reserve Cham- pionship title were the Percherons of All Star Farms, driven by Ross Honsberger of Bellevue, MI, and owned by Doyle and Renee Dingman. Hons- berger and the All Star Farms hitch won the


Percheron Six-Horse Hitch class over Blue Ribbon Days Percherons to qualify for the championship. Bryce Smith’s Double


S Belgians hitch, driven by Kyle Forsyth of Tillanook, OR, rounded out the top three in the championship, having qualified by winning the Belgian Six-Horse Hitch


class on Wednesday, No- vember 8. In addition to the pop-


ular Six-Horse Hitch classes, the 2017 Royal Horse Show also offered Two-Horse, Four-Horse and Unicorn classes for the draft teams.


The impressive line-up of hitches in the Royal Six-Horse Draft Championship on Saturday night, November 11, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


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