There, you can find Glenview Clydesdales, an award-winning, 85-acre, family-owned farm in Harrisville, home to nearly two dozen Clydesdales and two quarter horses.

“For years, no one knew we were back here or what we were doing, because you can’t see (us) from the road,” Pat Perkins, one of Glenview’s owners, said. “Then, word got out, and everyone knows we’re here, now.”

Well-known for their association with Budweiser, Clydesdales are easy to spot, as they grow up to 2,000 pounds and six feet tall — or 18 hands, in a traditional measure of horse height.

They may be big, but Clydesdales are incredibly docile and just like kids to Perkins and her family, able to show affection and cheer anyone up on a bad day. Many of Glenview’s horses have been with the family for at least 20 years.

News Photo by James Andersen McKenna Nye holds the lines as she drives a two-horse cart during a recent morning at Glenview Clydesdales in Harrisville. At 21 years old, Nye is already a decorated exhibitor and can drive up to an eight-horse hitch.

“They’re known as the gentle giants, and they are,” Perkins said. “As big as they are, they’re very gentle, they’re very laid-back. They’re just beautiful to watch outside.”

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A FAMILY AFFAIR

At Glenview, caring for Clydesdales is a family affair, as three generations maintain, show, and care for the horses.

Perkins’ daughter, Christie Nye, helps with the upkeep of the stalls, helps prepare the horses for showing, and even exhibits on occasion. Nye’s daughter, McKenna Nye, drives hitches, already a decorated exhibitor at age 21. Christie’s sister, Ellie Perkins, has exhibited at shows in youth classes.

News Photo by James Andersen A pair of Clydesdales are shown during a recent morning trot at Glenview Clydesdales.

In 2019, Pat, Christie, and McKenna all competed in the Clydesdale Ladies Cart Class at the Michigan Great Lakes International Show.

McKenna, who can drive up to an eight-horse hitch, or team of horses, has shown horses since age 8 and has spent many years learning how to drive different hitches. She’s the youngest classic hitch driver in the Clydesdale world, according to Pat.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be on the farm,” McKenna said. “Everything was horse, horse, horse. My goal was to move up here after I graduated high school and just be here all the time. I just fell in love with the horses and being here.”

TRAINING PAYS OFF

For more than 20 years, the Glenview team has traveled across the Midwest and even internationally to compete, making many lifelong friends along the way.

News Photo by James Andersen An office displays dozens of the awards earned by Glenview Clydesdales in more than 20 years of exhibiting. During that time, Glenview’s Clydesdales have been exhibited across the Midwest and in several world shows.

They’ve earned dozens of plaques and ribbons which line the walls of a small office just off the horse barn.

In 2015, one of Glenview’s Clydesdales, named Extreme, was named World Champion Gelding at the World Show in Canada.

But the family’s foray into the world of Clydesdales started small. Pat and her husband, Glen, moved to the area and decided to buy horses. They decided to go big.

They started with just two Clydesdales, then four more, then another four.

At a Clydesdale show in Canada in 1999, the Perkinses watched and learned. Over time, former Budweiser Clydesdale drivers visited the farm, drove hitches and showed the family the ropes.

News Photo by James Andersen One of Glenview Clydesdales’ horses gets a bath after a recent morning trot. Glenview’s horses are washed, dried and oiled after they are done getting daily exercise.

“We couldn’t have asked for better training,” Perkins said.

The farm started showing in 2000 and now exhibits in about a half dozen shows annually.

You can also find Glenview’s Clydesdales at exhibitions and parades, most recently at Alpena’s Fourth of July parade. The farm also does the occasional group tour.

What started off as a small farm has grown over the years. For the team, the work — while still challenging — has become easier. The horse barn has expanded to accommodate more horses, and they’ve added hay and carriage barns over the years.

Even traveling — which can be hectic with horses — has become easier. Glenview has two 53-foot tractor-trailers to transport all of its show needs. One trailer carries the horses and the other carries the wagon, cart, feed, harnesses, wash supplies, and anything else they might need.

News Photo by James Andersen A Clydesdale wagon, the same one used in Alpena’s recent Fourth of July parade, is shown in storage during a recent morning at Glenview Clydesdales.

It’s a lot of work, but well worth it for a family that’s dedicated itself to caring for gentle giants.

It puts a smile on Pat’s face knowing she can pass it all on in her family.

“Most of our friends at our age are retired and they’re spending their winters in Florida or they’ve got a motor home,” she said. “We’re here. This is our retirement, and we know it’s going to get passed on.”