The look on their faces were total opposites. One was relaxed, calm, smiling and totally at ease while the other was tense, working hard and focused on the task at hand.

Jane Gray has been competing in draft cart events for several decades now; her granddaughter, Libby, is just starting out. The two sat side by side during the Junior Draft Cart class at the Litchfield Fair earlier this month. In the ring, the young competitors have an older, experienced driver sitting next to them. Judges are watching to see how well the youngsters can drive on their own with as little input as possible from their guides.

Libby took away a fourth-place ribbon from the Junior Draft Cart class while her brother, Zachary, took first.

While the Litchfield Fair was “big time” for Libby and Zachary, Jane is a seasoned veteran with experience on a world-class stage. In fact, her Percherons will be defending their title next month at the World Percheron Congress at the Big E in West Springfield, Mass. There are numerous categories at that competition, including one of the most prestigious, where their team is the reigning Supreme World Champion Six-mare Hitch.

Growing up on a farm gave Gray a love of nature and animals, but it wasn’t until years later that she realized her dream of raising horses. “I grew up on a sheep farm, but I always wanted to have a horse. My mother wanted me to take piano lessons.”

After several business adventures and working as a full time CPA, she began to raise Belgian horses. “My third husband came with Percherons, and they worked out much better.”

During the course of a year, she, her family and her extended family (friends and neighbors who help out) travel around the state and country to about 10 shows on average.

It takes a lot of time and commitment to put it all together. On the day of a competition, they rise at 4 a.m. and don’t quit until long after the sun sets. Shining the tack, braiding the manes, brushing and a myriad of details must be tended to before going to the competition ring.

“They are so incredible to work with,” Gray said of her horses as she began to pack up after the Litchfield Fair. “Smart, strong and determined to please. It is a challenge to make it all come together. Accomplishing what you train for is what keeps most of us doing this. And they are so powerful and beautiful. There is just something in a horse that touches you.”