An exciting young stallion to watch

Full brother to

World Champion HVK Bell Flaire

Million dollar Morgan Horses

The Morgan industry's biggest stars and brightest prospects. This "Sale of the Future" topped $1 Million in closing.Many horses sold for sums of 30, 40 and 50 thousand dollars. The high seller at $160,000; next highest seller was for $85,000.

Nobility- Cabot Morgan Farm

Nobility- Cabot Morgan Farm Nobility, who is synonymous with exciting Park horse performances, was the World Champion Park Saddle Horse in 1996 and is known for passing on his brilliance, charisma and athleticism to his offspring. A legendary sire of Park horses, in 2004 he ranked number four in the overall Sire Ratings. His son, Pine Creek Noble Vision, as a three year old, was the youngest horse to ever win the Open Park Harness World Championship title. EN Possession NKS was the 2004 World Champion Jr. Exhibitor Park Saddle horse, while Key Biscayne was the Reserve Grand National Amateur Park Saddle Stallion and Century Oak Noblique was the Reserve Grand National Two Year Old Park Harness horse. Nobility is also siring champions in other divisions such as Bacacarat’s Noble Cause who was the Grand National Ladies English Pleasure Gelding and Key West, the multi-titled in hand champion, won the title of Reserve World Champion Classic Pleasure Driving horse. In addition, Orrwood’s Special Edition earned two Reserve Grand National titles in Hunter Pleasure and JW Enjoyabelle won two Reserve Grand National titles in Classic Pleasure. Nobility was one of a kind amongst all Morgan comers on all fronts. His daughters are breeding treasures as producers. So was his own dam.

Google Reader -"morgannews" via AnthonySteven

Google Reader -"morgannews" "morgannews" The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazineilovemorgans News and Morgans for sale and wanted See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazineilovemorgans News and Morgans for sale and wanted See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Saddlebred Stallions via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 Saddlebred Stallions n fact it is said, that ninety percent of today’s Saddlebreds carry Morgan blood. The original list of stallions selected as foundation sires by the National Saddle Horse... See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Take the Poll: What is the Most Common Rider Problem? via About.com Horses on 10/11/07 Bad habits? I have a few. Besides bad posture and a tendency to lean forward I tend to ride with my hands too flat. I have to remind myself 'thumbs... Nursing News Information [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Health Care: Nursing Research Subdirectory [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Seo Friendly Web Directory - Health > Nursing [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Faculty of Nursing - University of Alberta [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 NursingSociety.com | Nursing Society | Perioperative Nursing | Nursing Educator | Nursing Developmen [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 See more of "morgannews" via AnthonySteven ... These items were shared using Google Reader Google Reader allows you to easily keep track of your favorite websites and see all the updates in one convenient location. Get started with Google Reader If you use another feed reader and would like to keep track of updates to these shared items, there is also a feed Feed icon you can subscribe to. Subscribed. Unsubscribe Add tags Hide tags Tags (optional, comma separated)

Google Reader -"morgannews" via AnthonySteven

Google Reader -"morgannews" "morgannews" The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazineilovemorgans News and Morgans for sale and wanted See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazineilovemorgans News and Morgans for sale and wanted See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Saddlebred Stallions via ilovemorgans by ilovemorgans@hotmail.com (Anthony S. Pierce) on 10/12/07 Saddlebred Stallions n fact it is said, that ninety percent of today’s Saddlebreds carry Morgan blood. The original list of stallions selected as foundation sires by the National Saddle Horse... See the most beautiful horses on earth at ilovemorgans.com today! Take the Poll: What is the Most Common Rider Problem? via About.com Horses on 10/11/07 Bad habits? I have a few. Besides bad posture and a tendency to lean forward I tend to ride with my hands too flat. I have to remind myself 'thumbs... Nursing News Information [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Health Care: Nursing Research Subdirectory [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Seo Friendly Web Directory - Health > Nursing [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 Faculty of Nursing - University of Alberta [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 NursingSociety.com | Nursing Society | Perioperative Nursing | Nursing Educator | Nursing Developmen [Furl] via ilovemorgans on 10/12/07 See more of "morgannews" via AnthonySteven ... These items were shared using Google Reader Google Reader allows you to easily keep track of your favorite websites and see all the updates in one convenient location. Get started with Google Reader If you use another feed reader and would like to keep track of updates to these shared items, there is also a feed Feed icon you can subscribe to. Subscribed. Unsubscribe Add tags Hide tags Tags (optional, comma separated)

Saddlebred Stallions

Saddlebred Stallions n fact it is said, that ninety percent of today’s Saddlebreds carry Morgan blood. The original list of stallions selected as foundation sires by the National Saddle Horse Breeder’s Association in 1899 included the Morgan stallions Cabell’s Lexington and Coleman’s Eureka . Justin Morgan’s sons, daughters and grandget were also successfully crossed on Thoroughbred and Canadian and Narragansett pacer stock to crate the influential ancestors found in most modern Saddlebred pedigrees. In fact, Justin Morgan himself is listed as entry XXXI in Volume I, page 75 of Scharf’s Famous Saddle Horses, first published in 1936. Today, the majority of Saddlebred stallions who carry Morgan blood, do so through Justin Morgan’s grandson Black Hawk and his grandsons, Gist’s Black Hawk and Indiana Chief, and through the great-grandson, Peavine. A number of earlier American Saddlebreds trace in direct male line to Justin Morgan. Cabell’s Lexington 3234, foaled in 1863, is one well-known Saddle Horse sire who traced directly to Justin Morgan through his grandsire, Blood’s Black Hawk (also known as Blood’s Vermont Black Hawk), and great-great-grandsire, Sherman Morgan (by Justin Morgan).

Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine

Lippitt Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine

The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine

The Morgan- Horse Breed - Pony Breed - Horse Breeding - Equiworld Equestrian Magazine

Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar: Equine Article: Morgan News: July 2004 07/01/04

Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar: Equine Article: Morgan News: July 2004 07/01/04 article search Features Breeds Arabian Appaloosa Dressage Driving Eventing Hunters/Jumpers Morgan Paint Pinto Quarter Horse Saddlebred Affilates Calendar Classifieds Directories Subscribe Back Issues Editorial Advertising Photo Gallery Contact Us Featured Ad Morgan News: July 2004 by Nicole Morrison Fred Merriam and Gaitwood Lightwing. Morgans topped the list of USEF Driving Selectors. The entire 2004 World Singles Driving team that will compete at the World Singles Driving Championships in Astorp, Sweden on July 22-25 will be composed of Morgan horses. Among those will be Gaitwood Lightwing, a nine-year-old Morgan driven by Fred Merriam of Newfane, Vermont; Bethesda After Dark, a ten-year-old Morgan driven by Scott Monroe of Sharon, Connecticut and Collector's Right Stuff, a thirteen-year-old Morgan driven by Scott Padgett of Southern Pines, North Carolina. What a great testament to the versatility and athleticism of Morgan horses! Best of luck to each of them - we will be rooting for you! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And the good news for Morgan enthusiasts just keeps rolling in! Recently the American Driving Society (www.americandrivingsociety.org) reported that the Morgan horse is the most popular driving horse among their membership. A recent ADS demographic survey indicates that the Morgan horse is owned by 17.4% of their membership who returned their demographic survey. This is quite an accomplishment for the Morgan breed since there are only about 80,000 living Morgans in the world. The other piece of good news for the Morgan breed is that the demographic survey indicates that 21% of the members plan to buy a new horse in the next year. Hopefully their choice will help the Morgan breed continue to expand its market as America's Driving Horse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Show season is here, meaning the Morgan Youth Contests are back in action! Just a reminder, Granite State Morgan Horse Show will be holding its annual Youth of the Year Contest on Thursday June 22, 2003 at 11:00 am. Granite State Morgan is held at the Deerfield Fair Grounds in Deerfield, N.H. All Youth are welcome to participate. If there are any questions please contact Sarah Foy at 603-642-4125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foxwin Farm is proud to announce the birth of the first of two foals expected this spring. Foxwin Storm Chaser (Stormy) arrived May 8, during a severe thunderstorm, hence his name. He is sired by Pat's long time open dressage partner, Foxwin Jericho, and his dam is Foxwin American Maid. Stormy is a bold, beautiful bay with a small star, and already "owns the farm and everyone on it". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Usually when you hear Samantha Sargent's name you associate it with Morgan horses, but Sam isn't only a talented equestrian, but is also an All Star Cheerleader! Sam participated in the 2004 National Cheerleader of the Year Scholarship Competition last month. The competition was held at Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Sam was one of the 50 cheerleaders chosen of the 130 who tried out. To participate in this competition Sam had to submit three letters of recommendation, be nominated by her coach, hold a GPA of 3.1 or above, and all competitors had to be a junior in high school. The competition consisted of three parts: an interview, a creative cheer, and a technical cheer, and both cheers had to be put together by each individual. Sam was able to meet girls from all over the country, including some fellow cheerleaders from Oklahoma City, and plans to meet up with them in October at the Morgan Grand Nationals. Stable mate and good friend Melissa Grubbs also got to come along to the competition and be part of Sam's stunt crew. The competition also held a convention that offered seminars, stunt demonstrations and hints for college tryouts. Sam's mother, Lisa Sargent, reports that Sam has been cheering since sixth grade and is currently the captain of the cheering squad at Sanborn Regional High School in New Hampshire. While in North Carolina they took a few extra days to tour colleges. Congratulations, Sam, on this great achievement! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Brown/Klein family is sad to report that their beloved mare, Maybelinda, passed away last month. When you hear Sasha Klein's name mentioned you can't help but to think of her companion of eight years, Maybelinda. The Brown/Klein Family purchased Maybelinda in 1996 for Sasha's 8th birthday, and from that day on they were a great pair. Sasha and Maybelinda dominated the Walk Trot division in 1997 and 1998. Then the two moved on to the Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure and Huntseat Equitation divisions in 1999 and 2000, where they also were a dominant team. During their years together they received many Grand National and Regional titles. In the fall of 2000 Maybelinda was retired to the pasture at Waterford Farm, and remained under the care of Lynn and Kathy Peeples. Maybelinda is one of those horses that people just won't forget; she will not only be missed by Sasha, but by the entire Morgan community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our condolences also to Margaret Gardiner of Kennebec Morgan Horse Farm in Woolwich, Maine on the loss of Kennebec Count (Kennebec King x Helen May) at 34 years of age. Kennebec Count demonstrated the true versatility of the Morgan horse from twitching logs and hitting the trails to competing in the dressage arena and paving the way for Morgans in international combined driving competition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Granite State Mystical Morgans The club decided this year to remember longtime youth group supporter and Jamie Walton's grandfather, Bill Jerome, by raising money for cancer. Toward that goal, when Granite State member Anne Paquin organized a driving clinic and asked the club to run the food booth, the youth jumped at the chance! This was followed immediately by their annual fundraiser - a fun show held at CPM Stables complete with a huge food booth serving breakfast and lunch and an extensive raffle. The two events combined have raised over $500 to donate to "Grampy" Jerome's causes - The Oncology Clinic at Anna Jaques Hospital and the American Cancer Society. These kids worked very hard and were actually glad to get back to school! Mystical Morgans have plans to hold a badge day and a horseless horse show some time this summer too. Members have also been helping with barn chores at member Sarah Johnson's during Sarah's mother Pauli's hospital stay. If you would like to join in the fun with the Granite State Mystical Morgans, please contact club leader Sara Foy at 603-642-4125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eight dressage riders competing on Morgans were awarded $500 training scholarships through the Morgan Dressage Association. This is the second group to receive scholarships from the proceeds from the association's annual stallion service sales. Applicants were asked to respond to questions that outlined their background with both Morgans and dressage, the challenges they face training for dressage, and how they would use their scholarship funds. Five independent dressage riders scored nearly 40 applications: the eight riders earning the highest scores were awarded a scholarship. Scholarship winners will use the funds for a variety of training experiences ­ including clinics, lessons, symposiums and educational materials. Among the eight winners were two AMHA youth, Emily Knight and Devon Shoemake. Junior/Young Rider Emily Knight of Hanover, New Hampshire said in her application that she "fell in love with Morgans as a little girl because I thought they were the most beautiful breed in my favorite horse book." She began riding Morgans when she was six and has competed successfully in many disciplines from the local to the national level, earning her AMHAY Bulrush, Woodbury and Sherman badges and participating in numerous Youth of the Year competitions. Now a student at Dartmouth College, she and current mount, Fortunes Maestro, have competed through fourth level, earning the scores necessary for Emily's USDF Silver Medal. Thirteen year-old Devon Shoemake rode her first Morgan when she was three, and has been competing in dressage on Morgans for the past three years. She has shown successfully in open and breed-show competitions in dressage, hunter and combined training and in 2003 earned her C-1 Pony Club rating with her current mount, a seven-year-old gelding, Spring Hollow Night Magic, which required them to ride components of training/first-level dressage tests, jump grids, stadium and cross country fences up to 2'9." Congratulations to Emily and Devon and good luck to them in the future! If you are interested in applying for an MDA Scholarship, please visit their website at www.morgandressage.org. Scholarship winners may not receive a scholarship in consecutive years, however they will be eligible to compete for a scholarship in future years if they have moved up a level. The application deadline for the 2004 program is October 1, 2004. Go to the application form for more information on how to apply. Winners will be announced in late 2004. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lippitt Club Morgan Youth are lucky that their 4-H leader, Laura Cranston, is also a Morgan lover and owner! On April 24th , Colleen Culver, Jackie Marshall, and Taylor and Moriah Cranston presented the ultimate in equestrian style during a fashion show at the Forest Park Zoo in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, which was followed by an educational session. A Lippitt Morgan, Barretown Diamond, even made the trip to serve as the official mascot! On May 2nd, the youth journeyed to Mount Holyoke College to attend an equestrian clinic teaching the basics of carriage driving. Finally, on May 8th, the club was invited to Karen Swanberg's Open Barn at Cherry Ledge Farm in Woodstock, Connecticut, where they were given space to promote the Morgan. We are indeed fortunate to have such wonderful ambassadors of our breed! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The fifth edition of the Kohler Sale featured some of the Morgan industry's biggest stars and brightest prospects. This "Sale of the Future" topped $1 Million when the gavel sounded for the final time on Saturday, May 22. Many horses sold for sums of 30, 40 and 50 thousand dollars. The high sellers were HVK Man of Distinction (2003 Ladies Park Saddle Gelding Grand National Champion) at $160,000. Richard Boule placed the winning bid for Vicki Bennett of Heath, Texas. The next highest seller was HVK Port Rush (2002 World Champion Four-Year-Old Park Saddle Horse) who went home with Holly Johnson of Tara Farm for $85,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upcoming Morgan Events: Granite State Morgan Horse Show in Deerfield, N.H. June 25-27, 2004. Maine Morgan Horse Show in Skowhegan, Maine, July 8-10, 2004. New England Morgan Horse Show and Region 1 Championships in Northampton, Mass., July 25-31, 2004. E-mail This Story to a Friend Print This Story Back to top Affiliates | Calendar | Classifieds | Directories Subscribe | Back Issues | Editorial | Advertising | Gallery | Contact Us © 2006 Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

History of the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum

History of the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum

TwinCities.com - 1 horse killed, 1 barely alive, and a family on guard

TwinCities.com - 1 horse killed, 1 barely alive, and a family on guard

Frequently Asked Questions :: American Morgan Horse Association

Frequently Asked Questions :: American Morgan Horse Association Home Join AMHA or Renew Membership Search FAQ Contact Us Site Map Member Extranet About the Morgan What is a Morgan?A registered Morgan is the result of breeding two registered Morgan horses. All Morgans today trace to the stallion Justin Morgan, foaled in 1789, who was originally known by the name "Figure". The registry for Morgans was founded in 1909. Prior to that time, Morgans identified by Colonel Joseph Battell as descendants of Justin Morgan were considered Morgan horses. The breed was formed from European horses brought in with colonists, and the Morgans set themselves apart with unique characteristics from their ancestors. Justin Morgan was, in fact, a genetic "sport" in that he did not resemble his sire or dam in obvious ways. He passed these characteristics on to his offspring, forming a distinct type or breed of horse unique to America. Justin Morgan sired many foals, but the most important ones are his three sons, Sherman, Bulrush, & Woodbury. Every Morgan today traces back to him through one of these stallions. back to top Is the Morgan America's first breed? No, the Narragansett Pacer, a breed now extinct, preceded Morgans as a type of horse unique to America. The Morgan was the second "breed" unique and native to America. A "breed" is defined as: n. A group of organisms having common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics, especially a group within a species developed by artificial selection and maintained by controlled propagation. To be an "American Breed" means the horses are something unique to this country, or bear unique characteristics and are not related to breeds with the same characteristics in another country. No other American breed can trace its pedigrees back as far as the Morgan horse can to the same foundation horse. The Morgan IS, indeed, the first true American breed based on bloodlines. Other breeds may have had that type of horse (pacer, harness racer, quarter racer) in colonial days but cannot claim those horses as ancestors today. Indeed, many were in fact offspring of Justin Morgan! Morgan Info Versatility Showcase Frequent Questions Morgan Magazine The Registry Related Links Merchandise Farm Finder Classified Ads Featured Stallions Morgan Clubs Latest News Calendar of Events Morgan Grand National Regional Shows Show Results Press Room Celebrate the Morgan Convention Stallion Service Auction AMHA Information Open Competition Program Pathways Program Morgan Judging Morgan Masterpieces Other Competition Awards AMHA Honors Youth Programs Resources / Forms

Advertising your Morgans for sale has never been easier and more affordable

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Important ilovemorgans Community Annoucement

ilovemorgans Important Announcement ilovemorgans asks your support to honor our friend, the Late Shirley Givens, WSG Morgans, Oklahoma City, OK Attention! Beloved and treasured member of the Morgan Community, Shirley Givens passed away on August 15, 2007 after a courageous and long battle with ... Read the whole story at ilovemorgans Ad Site now © 2007 ilovemorgans | Powered by edgeio classifieds.

We invite you today.......

You are invited to see and use our new ilovemorgans Advertising site which we are excited to reveal online. We believe, this will be our most efficient and easiest to use site for sales horses we ever offered! One feature we liked was when you place and ad, you can distribute it to endless other classifieds websites to maximize your reach to a horse buying audience while boosting your links for the search engines adding popularity to any site you add as a link for in your ads! Please visit our ad site today and see what all the positive comments are about! If you have any questions about this service or is we may assist you in anyway, please send Anthony an email at ilovemorgans@hotmail.com

Rum Brook Farms

Rum Brook Farm home · stallions · mares · sales · contact RUM BROOK SWEET 'N SASSY - foaled in 2003 by Immortal Command out of Rum Brook Starina Click for more info. RUM BROOK IMMORTAL CACHET - foaled in 2000 by Immortal Command out of Rum Brook Starlet Click for more info. RUM BROOK MORTAL CRUSADER - foaled in 2001 by Immortal Command out of Roman Krystalite Click for more info. RUM BROOK HEIRLOOM - foaled in 2001 by Triple S. Golden Bows and out of Rum Brook Illusion by Green Meads Galaxy. Click for more info. KNIGHT - Sold to DeeAnn Wood of Westwood Farm Plato, Minnesota. To be driven this year and to be the future Western and Parade horse for DeeAnn. This black son of Immortal with his beauty, type, and motion should make it at OKC where DeeAnn has won before. Her son, Jason, will show Knight this year in Pleasure Driving. RUM BROOK IMMORTAL PRIDE - Sold to Glenna and Dale Drake of Dover, New Hampshire to be Glenna's new project and future pleasure horse. This two year old gelding is keeping Glenna busy as she works with him."

Excellent Morgan Info

Wherever the Morgan lines come from, they have become extraordinary. Figure's three most famous sons are Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury. All of whom went on to sire many more foals, all of whom bore the beautiful Morgan confirmation.

Famous Morgan Horses in History

The breed's trotting ability made it a favorite for harness racing in the 1840s. Morgans were then used in the Civil War as cavalry mounts, including Sheridan's "Rienz" and Stonewall Jackson's "Little Sorrel". The only survivor (from the US Army) of The Battle of Little Bighorn was the Morgan "Comanche". The breed was later used in the Pony Express. The first volume of the Morgan Horse Register was published in 1894. Since then, more than 132,000 Morgan Horses have been registered. The stud book was closed in 1948 in an effort to preserve the breed. The Morgan has influenced several other breeds, including the Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, American Quarter Horse, and the American Saddlebred. Nearly 90% of Saddlebred horses today have Morgan blood.

The CopperDragonSale ::: Horses

The CopperDragonSale ::: Horses

Horses: A wonder in our world

Sunday, April 8, 2007 Last modified: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 9:56 AM EDT Horses: A wonder in our world By BYRON BREWER 4/3/07 Horses. They are what make Kentucky great. Even states that boast of having horse tracks and equine estates cannot compare to the sheer beauty of the Bluegrass hills and our horse havens. It saddens me when I know that our state is losing its breeding business to other states and, for a long time, was doing nothing about it. But lately, the various factions of Kentucky's Horse World have banded together and are trying to keep our horse industry strong, making Frankfort politicians aware of its economic and social impact. I am glad to say I had a minute part to play in this movement as a staff member of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, because - although a city-born boy who has seldom ridden and probably could not answer a pop quiz on tack - I have always had a deep love of and respect for horses. I guess it started with my Uncle Gilbert, my father's brother. He was always interested in horses and started me collecting model horses when I was young. I do not know what type of horses he was involved with most of his life, but Gilbert was always coming to Kentucky from his home in Atlanta, Ga., to purchase them and then transporting them back to the Peach State. In his last few years with the animal, he was working with Tennessee Walking Horses, showing them around the south. I think he still has one or two horses of non-descript breed on his land, old friends living out the last of their days. I did not fully appreciate the beauty of horses until I began going to Keeneland with my buddy, Wendell Butler, when I was in college. There is nothing like going to Keeneland for the first time. The experience is amazing to the uninitiated, especially if you already love horses. "What? You mean I can enjoy all this beauty, see these horses close up and personal and possibly make some money too?" I asked him. "Yep, or possibly lose some money," said the track veteran. "Oh." But I kept going, and have never stopped. Years and years later, it was my pleasure to introduce both George-town Graphic reporter Jim Rector and News-Graphic managing editor Me-lissa Nipper and her husband Brent to the beauties of Keeneland. They loved it too. Jim, in turn, introduced me to Churchill Downs. We started going there on a regular basis in the late 1980s. While Keeneland is beautiful, the old Downs was kind of, well, dirty. It was a fun experience, don't get me wrong, and the Twin Spires were awesome, but it was a dirty track. I had good luck there, though. And in 1988, Wendell took me to see fellow Scott countian Winning Colors as the filly broke records and won the Kentucky Derby. I was in a box seat with a cool fan blowing sweat off my suited-up self, the only way to see the Derby. The mint juleps they made were disgusting; my neighbor, veterinarian Robert Geyer makes better ones. But I won quite a bundle that day. That was because I had two people bet on the filly besides me because I went at the last minute. I had three claim tickets for the Derby winner! I actually knew Winning Colors' mother, All Rainbows, quite well. I did a few stories on her and, when she died, I did a front page obituary on this great mother of a champion. Another great horse in Scott County was April Love, a friendly Morgan horse housed at the Burr Oak Farm of my good friends, Fred and Bonnie Neuville on Cincinnati Pike. Fred and Bonnie are like family to me. They have been so supportive of me since I have had my illness. Bonnie was the last person I did a story on before I succumbed to these headaches in 2004. April Love was born during the great tornado that destroyed Stamping Ground on April 3, 1974. She was very special to Bonnie, who rode her in a million 4-H contests and received a wall full of trophies and ribbons with her. Bonnie and April Love always led off the Festival of the Horse Parade and were the only constants at the event's annual horse show. Sadly, April died right before I left Scott County. I wrote a column for her, too. Horses are things of wonder in our world. You don't have to put wings on their backs or horns on their heads to make them fantasies. They are fantastic just the way they are. Byron Brewer, the former managing editor of the News-Graphic, is a Frankfort resident. He can be reached at b-rbrewer@hotmail.com.