A short drive from the small town of Clark, Missouri, best known for its Amish community and rich agricultural landscape, Cedar Hollow Farms has upheld one tradition for more than a century and across four generations: working with draft horses.
This month marks patriarch and landowner Ray Smith’s seventy-second year on the property. For as long as he can remember, draft horses have been part of his life. His father, Reese, never obtained a driver’s license; instead, he relied on horses for both transportation and work. Reese was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the New Deal, using horses to build roads by excavating and grading the roadbeds with a “Fresno” scraper.
Ray himself fondly recalls a horse named Nipper, his companion when he was about seven years old, so gentle that he would bend down to let young Ray climb onto his back. It’s one of many memories that illustrate the deep bond between horse and human.
Family Bonds and Horsepower
Today, Ray, his wife Carol, and sons Ryan (with his wife, Charisse) and Andy continue the family legacy. Raised on the same property and immersed in the world of national and regional draft horse competition, the brothers affectionately describe their horses as “oversized pets” but also as dependable partners that they work with daily. Each horse has its own distinct personality, and over time, family members often form special bonds with their favorites.
“I tend to identify with high-strung people pleasers that previous owners may not have understood,” says Ryan. “Dad likes ones with a little stubborn streak. Mark is probably Dad’s favorite — he could be stubborn at first, but Dad earned his respect, and they’ve had a special bond since. For me, it’s probably Buster, since he needed patience and trust to excel in competitions.”
The Smiths’ draft horses — the Belgian breed, often called “gentle giants” — stand just over seven feet tall (twenty-one hands) and weigh between a ton and 2,200 pounds. During pulling competitions, a pair of horses can tow between 8,000 and 15,000 pounds — roughly two to three and a half times their combined weight. The family has taken home numerous wins, including titles from the Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska state fairs. Their first-place finish in the Missouri State Fair’s Draft Horse Sled Pull in 2010 remains a proud highlight.
“Each competition is like solving a puzzle,” Ryan explains. “You have to pair two horses that complement and challenge each other to reach their full potential. There’s an intellectual challenge in learning what motivates each horse and building that trust, but it’s also physically demanding to manage a 2,000-pound animal eager to perform. When everything clicks — when you’re in sync and ‘pulling’ together — it’s an incredible feeling.”
Taking Tradition to the Streets
In addition to competing, the Smith family shares their passion with the community through horse-drawn carriage rides. Since 2022, their teams have brought holiday cheer to downtown Columbia, and after seeing growing demand, they added a second carriage the following year.
According to Nickie Davis, executive director of The District, more than 2,000 riders enjoyed a carriage ride during the 2024 holiday season — a significant increase from the approximately 500 riders who experienced it during the Smiths’ first year downtown.
“There’s something magical about this time of year — especially when little ones light up at the sight of these beautiful horses,” Davis says. “These are the traditions that build lifelong memories. The District is honored to offer this experience at no cost and help create moments our community will cherish for years to come.”
Each open-air wagon, handcrafted by Ray and Ryan and festively decorated by Carol, is built with safety in mind. The carriages comfortably seat ten passengers and feature secure side panels that keep riders safely enclosed while still allowing an open view of the city lights. An optional fitted canopy for the wagon is available during poor weather conditions.
The family is also keen on maintaining optimal comfort for their Belgian buddies. To ensure the safety of both horses and passengers, the pickup and drop-off area includes a two-gate system that separates the horses from pedestrian traffic. This setup allows visitors to admire and interact with the horses while also providing the animals with space to step back when needed.
While Ray and Ryan note that their Belgians love staying active and working, they limit carriage rides around downtown to a three-hour window to ensure the horses aren’t overworked and that their hooves remain in good shape. Andy makes the point that Belgian draft horses often live into their 20s when properly cared for — and because the horses and the Smiths share such a close bond, that’s precisely what the family intends to do, both during competitions and in the slower holiday season.
Ryan explains that while the competitions are exhilarating, there’s something equally enjoyable about the tranquility of the carriage rides.
“I think for the carriage rides, it’s getting to share an experience that has meant a lot to all of us throughout our lives with others who don’t have that access,” he says. “I’ve maintained that there’s something meditative about the calm and quiet as you engage with your surroundings at a pace that really allows for soaking it all in.”
The Smiths feel that sense of connection between generations, horses, and the Columbia community is what keeps the tradition alive. Each clop of hooves along The District’s brick streets is an echo of a family’s history and a reminder that some of the most enduring traditions are built not by machines, but by heart, hard work, and a team that pulls together.
