People

Gary & Sandra Fernandes, Owners

After winding down successful businesses in Dallas, where they maintain a home, Gary and Sandra Fernandes now spend a great deal of their time at the family compound at Lyday Farms.

The Fernandes’ life together has been shaped to a large degree by Gary’s thirty year career with EDS. After retiring from EDS, he founded and is still involved with several technology and venture capital oriented business interests. However, he believes that he has won the constant battle to keep his priorities in perspective.

“I’ve learned to keep in mind that business is just that: business,” he says. “There are other very important things in life, like family and friends. If you allow yourself to become dominated by business, the rest of your life will suffer.” He states further that his family and friends are truly the foundation on which he built his career. “I couldn’t have done it without my family,” he says. “I often need to call on someone else’s strength…another moral compass and guide.” He adds, “I believe one needs to have some reason for doing what they do other than self-gratification.”

Currently Gary and Sandra serve on many boards, including charitable organizations as well as several public companies; yet they now enjoy a special kind of fulfillment through life on the farm with their straight Egyptian Arabian horses. The Fernandes brood includes three children, eight grandchildren… and counting. Sandra’s delight in watching her children’s children enjoy the land on which her family has prospered for generations is evident in the farm’s special touches such as the picnic area, playhouse, and swings mounted on the horse walker!

Bryan Jeffries, Equine Manager

Bryan Jeffries grew up in Salina, Kansas. It was there in the summer of 1996 that he first discovered Arabian horses. Bryan fell in love with and bought a fancy 2 year old show gelding. “Mickey” was the first step in the journey that eventually led him to Lyday Farms.

Bryan worked for 2 years with Steve White, a superb horsemen and trainer that has loved, trained, and shown Arabians – as well as other breeds – for 40 years. Bryan soon discovered that he had a talent and a preference for showing Arabian horses at halter.

His desire to continue to learn from the very best took him to Shawn Crews in Waco, Texas. Shawn helped Bryan hone his natural ability as a halter trainer and showman, and became a very close friend. When Gary and Sandra Fernandes approached Shawn searching for someone to help them build their dream, Shawn felt that Bryan would be the perfect “fit.”

Bryan began his career at Lyday Farms in October of 2001. Since that time he has played an active part in developing all of the equine operations, including the show and breeding programs. He is an integral part of the farm’s success. Shawn was right, it is a perfect fit.

Melinda Jeffries, Breeding Manager & Sales

Melinda has more than 15 years of experience in the equine industry including early horse farm employment, large animal veterinarian support, and post college horse farm management assistance while completing graduate studies at Texas A&M University in Equine Reproduction.

Melinda began working with horses at the age of 15 in her hometown of Derwood, Maryland where she supported a local horse farm in routine day-to-day management activities. During this time, she also assisted a local veterinarian in large animal care. After moving to Texas in 1994, she attended Richland College, where she received her Associate of Science degree. She was offered a scholarship to Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2001, and began studies leading to graduation in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with High Honors in Animal Science. During her undergraduate studies she completed an Undergraduate Honors Thesis researching horse hay preference to three varieties of bermudagrass hay. In addition, it was during her tenure at A&M-Commerce that she realized her true passion in life, Equine Reproduction.

In 2002 Melinda joined the Lyday Farms’ team and quickly fell in love with the disposition and beauty of Straight Egyptian Arabians. She has continued to provide support to Lyday Farms’ horse management operations while completing graduate studies at Texas A&M leading to a Master of Science Degree with emphasis in Equine Reproduction. (Graduation: Fall of 2006). In June 2006 she completed her graduate research involving techniques for improving stallion semen quality characteristics for cooled shipment purposes. The premise of this study was to determine if fatty acid addition to the diet of stallions with or without the addition of sodium pyruvate (an antioxidant) to the collected semen would improve semen quality during 24, 48 and 72 hours of cooled storage in an Equitainer©. Melinda plans to pursue her interest in horse farm management and equine reproduction with emphasis on improving stallion fertility and industry breeding practices.

Ricky Hevron, Agriculture Consultant

Ricky Hevron’s interest in agriculture started at a very early age. A native of Honey Grove, his long term commitment to the field was furthered by high school agriculture studies and early career experiences in his own successful farming businesses.

In 2001, Lyday Farms became a customer of Ricky’s. One of the area’s most successful “up and coming” farmers, he was hired to custom bale their first year’s hay crop. The ambitious growth plan of Lyday Farms coincided with his own interest in specializing in the hay industry. Soon after, he agreed to manage their agriculture operations. “ This land is rich and fertile,” he says. “I’m glad to now be a part of the Lyday Farms family.”

In his capacity as Agriculture Manager, Ricky has helped to establish the business plan for Lyday Farms to become a major producer of Bermuda grass hay for the equine market. 
Under his direction the farm has allocated over 600 acres to the production of common, coastal and Tifton 85 Bermuda grass hay grown to the exacting specifications of some of the largest horse breeders in the Southwest. Ricky has directed and participated in all aspects of the hay operation including: land preparation, fertilization programs, sprigging, weed and pest control programs, equipment acquisition and maintenance, construction of storage facilities, baling to customer specifications and delivery logistics.

He states emphatically, “It’s been very satisfying to have been able to bring my 20 years of experience to the task of producing the highest quality hay possible. I enjoy being a part of such a successful team effort.”

Farm Staff

Ray Hevron joined Lyday Farms team in 2002 in the area of Landscape and General Maintenance. Ray, a native of Honey Grove, is the master behind the beautiful gardens and manicured vistas that both visitors and employees alike enjoy so much on a daily basis. Growing up around farming and ranching, his love for gardening goes back to tending his grandparents garden in nearby Ben Franklin. After his education at East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M-Commerce) Ray enjoyed 25 years with the Babcock and Wilcok Power Generation Group in Paris, Texas. His love of the outdoors and ongoing learning about native plants have combined in making him a very special part of the Lyday Farms team.

Dr. Katie Hayes has loved horses about as long as she’s been able to walk. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University in 1978. She then worked over 8 years as a breeding manager for Classic Manor Farm where she further developed her childhood love of horses into a life-long passion.

One of the most respected vets in North East Texas, Dr. Hayes brings her total of 24 years in veterinary medicine to her role as the exclusive provider of veterinary care for the horses of Lyday Farms. She says, “I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I love with these beautiful animals, as well as to be able to get to know and work with people that I enjoy.”