The original 50 acre homestead for Lyday Farms has belonged to Sandra Lyday Fernandes' family for several generations. And this connection to the past is evident as one watches Gary and Sandra pour over the family's extensive genealogy journals at the farmhouse's expansive kitchen table. "I'm the farm part of Lyday Farms," says Sandra. "I love this land."

In looking for a breed to focus the farm's horse activities on it was decided to look beyond the obvious. After researching many breeds, eventually Gary discovered the Pyramid Society website which led to a face-to-face encounter with their first straight Egyptian Arabian. It wasn't long before the goals of Lyday Farms' first class Egyptian Arabian breeding program were defined.

The decision to enter the commercial hay business was rooted far more in practicality. Like all horse people the Fernandes family understood the necessity of good nutrition for their horses. After substantial investigation of the hay market and the various grass alternatives and growing conditions available to them, it was decided that to "grow our own" was the best choice for the horses at Lyday Farms. Realizing that other serious equine professionals would appreciate the meticulous quality of their standards, they now make it available throughout their market area.

Presently, Gary and Sandra have added over 1,200 additional acres to the original plot, as well as completely modern equine and hay operations. And they continue to grow. A new barn with boarding and training facilities was added in 2003. More stalls and meeting space are to be added in the coming year.

Focus on quality above all. Throughout their development this has been the common mantra that was adopted as the overriding strategy at Lyday Farms. It well applies to both their hay products and their equine activities. "Buying quality broodmares, breeding to the best stallions, and supplementing our stock with the young get of other great breeding programs are the tactics we employ to build our long term program," says Gary, "and the early results are satisfying beyond our expectations!"

Since an auspicious start with their horses which included first year successes in the show ring, the Lyday Farms family has been hard at work continuing to build a world-class breeding program. Under the expert guidance of head trainer and equine manager, Bryan Jeffries, they are now seeing the fruits of their labors in their third foal crop.

In many ways, the history of Lyday Farms is still in the making. "Our history will be determined by what we do every day," continues Gary. "I'm sure that the initial momentum we've worked hard to create will continue to build as we move forward together with this wonderful breed";the Egyptian Arabian horse."

As to the future... well as the saying goes, only time will tell. Most involved agree that the best is yet to come for Lyday Farms