One of my recent purchases off Ebay was this 60 year old treasure from June of 1954. What attracted my attention to this particular magazine was the cover. Ottawa's Master Mind was foaled at Ottawa Creek Farm which is one mile down the road from my house. It is the same farm where I purchased my first Saddlebred, Ottawa's Idol, aka Buddy. In paging through the issue, how many of these horses, riders or farms shown are still making an impact today?
On the cover from 60 years ago was
Ottawa's Master Mind
Grey Mac X Korena Juan by San Juan
I have another picture of Ottawa's Master Mind being ridden by Dr. Elrod and I will post it
sometime in the future when I do an article on Ottawa Creek Farm. Some of the Ottawa Creek horses are still showing up in pedigrees today. The rider in this picture was a young Alan Leavitt who no longer owns Saddlebreds. He owns Walnut Hall Ltd, a Standardbred nursery located in Lexington Ky.
Autumn Dawn and Jolie Richardson
Sired by Torcido Chief by Douglas Chief by Bourbon King
There was no Autumn Dawn in the ASHA registry, so this could be Torcy's Gold Dust, or Torcido's Torch. The name of this five gaited gelding may be uncertain, but Jolie Richardson, shown here in her first year out of the juvenile division, has become a legend in Saddlebred history. She owned the multi-time
World's Grand Champion Five gaited horses CH My-My and CH Lady Carrigan.
Buttercup Meyer
Cream mare sired by Golden Meyer by Palomino Mack
This pretty Palomino mare never produced any registered Saddlebreds.
Magnolia's Jacque Highland
Nancy Highland's Chief X Magnolia's Latest Fashion by Jaque Chief A
Here is another high headed five-gaited gelding who has slipped into obscurity.
Mary Lee Baltimore
Lord Baltimore X Marraine's Star by Harmonious Rex by Mercer Rex
Her sire, Lord Baltimore, was also the sire of Conowingo, but under his original name of Rex Lee Lewis.
I'm so glad horses are no longer allowed to changed their names once they've reproduced,
and can no longer show under a pseudonym. Way too confusing.
My Mercedes
Noble Kalarama X Susie Kettman by My Kentucky Red Bird
This dainty three-gaited mare never produced any foals, but she is shown here by Marty Mueller.
Marty was a successful trainer who lived well into his 90's and just passed away a few years ago.
Mighty Prince
Mighty Sensation by Sensation Rex X Our Princess by Wonderland Chief
Here is another gelding that was owned and shown by, although not bred by, Ottawa Creek Farm.
He is shown here by a 16 year old exhibitor.
Polly Stonewall
Stonewall King X Polly Cason, a granddaughter of Rex McDonald
This five-gaited mare was trained by Art Simmons. She produced a few colts and had some
descendants born as recently as the 1990's.
An ad from Westwood Stables in Clayton, Missouri
including CH Denmark's Mokanna in the upper right.
This horse was shown as Regal Aire, WGC Fine Harness Horse in 1947 & 1953
The old ads are great. Straight forward fonts, sharp black and white drawings, the ads were to the point and full of information. Horse shows were heavily advertised since there was no internet to post information. Well known horse farms that were advertised included Jack Thompson Stables, Minton Hickory Farm, Plainview Farms, Oman Stables, High Point Farm, Broadacres Farm, Dodge Stables, and Beallgrove Farms. Gray Barham offered his services as an expert at tail cutting. Carl T Fischer Jr and his parents owned Meadowlake Stables in Louisville, and he still breeds Saddlebreds today. Still going strong after 60 years (and more), there was a nice ad for Blythewood Farms in Cleveland, Tennessee.
And it makes you wish you could get some of the products at 60 year old pricing. Boots and jods for $15 each, stallion stud fees at $50 or $100, annual subscription rate to Saddle & Bridle was $6 per year.
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