Horse Roots Run Deep In The Jayne Family Of Our Day Farm
The horse business runs through their veins. Maggie, Charlie and Haylie Jayne are sixth-generation equestrians. They were raised in the barn — and that’s a good thing.
They are part of a well-respected family of equestrians who grew up outside of Chicago but put down roots in Wellington during the Winter Equestrian Festival. They have contended at the elite levels in both the hunter and jumper divisions, earning titles at every level, from small ponies to Grand Prix.
Their father, Alex, and mother, Linda, run the highly successful Our Day Farm in Elgin, Illinois, and that’s where their three children were introduced at an early age to the wonderful world of horses.
Maggie is the first born and became a professional rider after graduating high school. Charlie, the middle child, has had a very successful show jumping career, highlighted by winning the $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala in 2015 aboard Chill R Z. Haylie is the youngest and has made a name for herself as a top hunter champion.
They are competitors and trainers, who have dozens of clients participating in many classes representing Old Day Farm in Wellington. As riders, they are looking forward to the current season at WEF.
The 34-year-old Maggie is focused on preparing Arizona ODF in the 7-year-old young jumpers division and Kaptain Kirk in the pre-green hunters. Her biggest career victory was winning the prestigious International Hunter Derby at the Devon Horse Show — twice.
“I am gearing up for Week 2 and Week 4 on the grass [at WEF],” said the 32-year-old Charlie, one of the top riders in show jumping who travels to major events around the world. “I’m aiming my top two horses for the Thermal and Ocala millions at the end of circuit.”
Haylie, 30, is determined to continue her achievements from last season.
“I’m lucky enough to have a really exciting first year green hunter, Queen Celeste,” she said. “She was circuit champion last year in the greens, and I would love to repeat that.”
She is also enthusiastic about the prospects for Limini, an 8-year-old that she is pointing toward competing in the 1.40s.
Hardin Towell isn’t surprised at the Jayne family’s accomplishments together. Towell, 31, a successful Grand Prix competitor and trainer based in Wellington, met members of the family at the Washington International Horse Show in 1999 when he was about 10 years old. Charlie was on horses, and Towell was still on ponies.
“They are the best family,” Towell said. “I consider them as much my own family as my own. Mr. and Mrs. Jayne have always been the best. They, the three kids, work so well because they all have their own roles in the business.”
The experience and versatility of the Jayne family helps them produce winners at every level in the U.S. and globally. So does their own ability to ride and win. It is their business, and with dozens of customers, it can be daunting.
“Haylie and I mainly focus on preparing and developing our client’s horses to their full potential,” explained Maggie, who hasn’t tired of working so closely with her siblings. “Charlie plans his show schedule to peak his Grand Prix horses for success. Of course, working in a family business has its challenges, but the pros far outweigh the cons.”
Charlie attended Florida Atlantic University, getting a degree in business management while competing on the circuit.
“We all have our different places within the business and have been able to work really well in our spaces,” he said. “Maggie has always been the leader. Our parents have been great influences and continue to guide us every step of the way.”
Haylie graduated from the University of Georgia in December 2009 with a degree in classical cultures. She competed on the equestrian team and helped the team win three national titles and four SEC titles. She also won the individual national championship in equitation over fences in 2009. She met Nate Rolfe in college. They were married in 2010 and became parents five years later when Oliver was born.
“Maggie has the most discipline on and off horses,” Haylie said. “Charlie is very laid back and typically can relax any horse he rides. I think I’m somewhere in between. Maggie and Charlie are honestly two of my best friends. It’s always great to know I have an amazing support team around me. I think it was harder [to work together] when we were younger, but we’ve all really settled into our roles.”
They are dynamos around the barn and in the rings, but they leave time to relax away from the horses.
Maggie enjoys cooking and yoga and playing with her puppies. Charlie plays cards every Monday and plays basketball every Tuesday. Haylie reads and works out, using a combination of Orangetheory, Pilates and running.
“Nate is my best friend and the reason I’m able to balance everything,” Haylie said. “Oliver was born in November 2015, and he is a ball of energy and love. I wouldn’t say I have much free time, but I would say that working with family allows me freedom to spend every extra minute I have with Nate and Ollie.”
She also enjoys the diversity of it all.
“The best thing about my job is that no two days are same,” Haylie said. “Some days I ride all day and other days I’m working with students. There are new challenges every day, yet horses make it all feel peaceful.”
Maggie gets to work with people who share the same passion for the sport and drive for excellence that is the underlying concept with all her family members.
“Even though each member of my family may have a slightly different approach or way of explaining something, our methodology toward developing horses and riders to their fullest potential is the same,” Maggie said. “There’s a little bit of an imprint from each of us in every horse and rider we produce; we all bring something to the table.”
The Jayne family’s Our Day Farm has locations in Illinois and Wellington. Visit www.ourdayfarm.com to learn more.
