Sunday, October 5, 2014

10/4/14 A look back at Michigan saddlebreds

Next weekend is the annual ASHAM horse show, put on by the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Michigan. so this week  looks at some Michigan saddlebreds from the 70's.  Michigan is certainly not the mecca of the saddle horse world, but it has had a very respectable past when it comes to stallions, show horses and personalities.  I chose the 70's since that is when I started riding Saddlebreds, and I chose Michigan since that's where I live!  Hopefully you'll recognize many of the names, learn something about the unfamiliar ones, and maybe even say, "Wow, I didn't know they were in Michigan."

Living Legend
Denmark Adonis X Hide-a-way's Desdemona by Hide-a-way's Firefly Supreme
His 2nd dam was the great broodmare Reverie's Desdemona (BHF)
Bryndale's Denmark
Oman's Desdemona Denmark X Blanchita's Lovely Lady by Blanchita's Choice
This handsome stallion was featured as a "Picture Perfect"
in Saddle & Bridle in 1975. 
Anderson Aire
Anderson Rex X Clear Creek Lady by American Born
This stallion was foaled in 1948, but still siring colts into the 1970's. 
He was owned by Theora London Crommer's Beechwind Farms in Osseo, Michigan.


The next six stallions were all owned by Leslie Lane Farms in Midland Michigan.
All of these well bred stallions stood right here in Michigan, and several
of the studs were photographed in their winter coats with a backdrop of Michigan snow.
Another Leslie Lane owned stallion was standing in Kentucky at Crabtree Farms.
Eventually, New Yorker also came to Michigan and sadly, died in
an accident in his paddock in 1980 when only 10 years old.
Flying Mike
On the Go X Genius' Flying Gypsy by Genius' Flying Saucer
Leslie Lane's Grand Slam
Starheart Stonewall X Parading Princess (BHF) by Colonel Sport
Green Acres Commander
CH Wing Commander x Mexico's Golden Girl by Mexico's Admire
Handley's Contract
Private Contract X Susanna Drew by Stonewall King
High Rank
CH Wing Commander X High Fashioned Sue by The Parading Promise
CH Night Prowler 
CH Status Symbol X Empire's Lady Genius by Anacacho Empire 

Michigan had some great shows, and back in the 70's a number of them were held at the Coliseum at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.  Those days were ended about ten years ago when the Fairgrounds (site of a racetrack where Seabiscuit ran) were closed up.  The ASHAM fall show has moved to the Pavilion on the campus of Michigan State University at East Lansing.  

CH Bell Hop and his young rider never showed in Michigan.
However, his rider now has a successful career as a trainer
here in Michigan.  

Meadow Glitter
Vanity's Sensation X Meadow Blossom by Anacacho Shamrock
This gelding was a reserve world's champion on several occasions at KSF.

Peavine's Miss Kay
Night of Folly X Maiden Contract by Private Contract
After her show career, she was owned by C. Thomas Galbreath 
and was a successful broodmare.

Pinecrest's Beautiful Gift
Pincecrest Sensation by Private Contract X Lover's Gift by Anacacho All American
This mare went on to be shown by Melissa Moore at the Kentucky State Fair.
Her pedigree got my attention since her 2nd dam, Secret Sea, was the mother of the
very first Saddlebred I ever rode, Starheart Secret.   
Equitation Rider Shelley London was a student of her
mother, Theora London Crommer.
Alloway's Bonnie Lassie
Bellaire's Anacacho King X Watch my Step by Rex Shadow
Bonnie was the 1973 3-gaited horse of Michigan and
she was bred by my husband. 



Miss Burley Bell
Mrs. Eleanor Pederson showed in fine harness at such places as the
Kentucky State Fair until she was in her 80's, but she and Miss Burley Bell were a very competetive duo in five gaited classes.  Ellie's daughter and granddaughter still show saddlebreds. 

Almost Michigan
Ottawa Creek Farm was in Ohio, just 1/2 mile south of the Ohio/Michigan line.
They showed many horses in Michigan for years.  Here are a couple from the 1970's.
Ottawas Diamond Jim
Had to include him, he's a full brother of Buddy (Best ever Saddlebred!)


Ottawa's Miss Vanity
Shown here in 1972 ridden by Dr. Robert Elrod Sr. 
She was Buddy's older half sister and a 5-gaited show mare in Michigan classes
for many years.  One of my greatest thrills was sitting in a cart next to Dr. Elrod
while he jogged this mare down Sylvania-Metamora Road. 
More about the Elrods and Ottawa Creek Farms in future posts.

More info on Michigan coming in the next few weeks!
Planning on going to the ASHAM show next week since I haven't made it to a single
horse show this year.  First time I missed Louisville in a decade. 

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6 comments:

  1. I remember seeing Night Powler many times at Leslie Lane Farms in Michigan… He was an amazing horse! Many fond memories from that horse farm in the '70's! -Joan

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  2. Do you remember Summerfield Farms in Ottawa Lake MI? My farms (saddlebreds) was 2 miles away from them. Back in the 70's and 80', ASAM had a show every year in Novi and the racetrack. Eliie and Dr Pederesen always stalled with us. Another farm in Sylvania Ohio was Emerald farm on Flanders rd. Do you remember Beehive farm? Big saddlebred trainer Louis Riley? libby

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  3. Do you remember Summerfield Farms in Ottawa Lake MI? My farms (saddlebreds) was 2 miles away from them. Back in the 70's and 80', ASAM had a show every year in Novi and the racetrack. Eliie and Dr Pederesen always stalled with us. Another farm in Sylvania Ohio was Emerald farm on Flanders rd. Do you remember Beehive farm? Big saddlebred trainer Louis Riley? libby

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    1. Of course I remember the Koehrman's of Summerfield Farm. They had Derek Repp as a trainer, Bill Robinson and Neil Leitner, and I think Merrill Murray was there way back at the beginning of his career. I live about 10 miles from there. I have some pictures of Nancy Hoffman and the Elrods showing at Novi. I don't remember Beehive Farm, but I do remember Emerydale Farm on Flanders Road in Sylvania very well. I took my mare there in 1981 to breed to their stallion Rita's Star, and I also bought a mare from them in 1990. Bill Emery, as an amateur, was a wonderful trainer.

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    2. The reason the koerhmans had so many trainers as she could not stop sleeping with them. My dr now owns the farm and trains dressage. He could not figure out the longgggg isleways so I gave him a quick lesson. I was at doc elrods the day humpy died after breeding a mare. He looked at me and said "damn if he doesn't have a smile on his face". Lightened up a horrible situation

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  4. Looking for a photo of American Saddlebred fine harness and three-gaited Champion his name was The Exhibitor bred by Rudy Speerschneider, last known trainer "Brownie" .....training stable near Hart Michigan .... He was by American Ace.

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