b'A Slice of LifeHAROLD FORDER encapsulating 75 years of Scugog memoriesFrom importing miniature horses to Canada, to supplying budgies to Eatons department stores, to capturing championships at the Royal Winter Fair, Harold Forder of Port Perry has a fascinating life story.Ive had a lot of fun, but worked hard, sometimes 18 hour days, commented 95-year-old Harold Forder.I never had a job, said Harold, a successful, multi-career entrepre-neur who left school after Grade eight.He explained that he took advantage of the many opportunities that came his way, and never shied away from challenges or let a fear of change hold him back.EXOTIC ANIMALS Haroldthenmadeaconnectionat the Royal Winter Fair. He bred her Harold is famous for bringing thewith a man who sold budgie birds.and sold 13 calves.first miniature horses to Canada. I liked the novelty of them, heHarold grew up on a cattle farm WhenhisdaughterAnnasawsaid. owned by his parents Charlotte and miniaturehorsesonTV,shefellinIntheearly1960s,Haroldsup- Joseph in Blackstock. lovewiththem.Whileherparentsplied these pretty pet birds to EatonsItwasadefiningmomentfor were away in the States purchasingstores for about $12 each. young Harold when his aunt died on some, Anna kept busy. She paintedMywifedidntlikethebirdsNew Years Day, 1943. He lost both theinsideofthebarnwhite,andflyingaroundthebedroom,losinghis grandfathers and his Dad within put down six inches of shavings, tofeathers, he recalled. So he built atwo years.make a welcoming home for the wee20 x 12 addition to an outbuilding toThisiswhenmylifestartedto equines.house them. Many people came rightchange, Harold recalled.It was a beautiful spot, Haroldto his house to buy budgies. Hisfatherhadbloodpoison-said. They brought back seven miniWhite Modena pigeons were an- ing. While they waited for his sister colts, one mare and one stallion.otherofhispassions.HebredandLucille to come to say good-bye, he They threw in an old pony thatshowedthem.Thereweremanyoffered some advice.their daughter didnt ride anymore,wins, and sales as far away as EuropeRenownedforjudgingheavy he added. andAustralia.Inthe1970s,theyhorseshowsalloverthecountry, Tobeclassifiedasminiature,awere going for $100. Joseph advised his son to enter com-tiny horse has to be less than 34 tall.Cattle were always his favourite ofpetitions as a beef cattle judge.AlthoughheenjoyedbreedingandGods creatures. He was smart to turnWhen you are out with the horses sellingthem,somesoldforuptodown an offer of $20,000 for Oneida,cultivating, say your speech over and $10,000, Harold revealed. They werea Hereford who went on to capture harder to train than ponies. the title of Grand Champion FemalePlease turn to page 36FOCUS - MARCH 202335'