The American Saddlebred: 3/3/17 Grand View Farm and it's descendants

About 30 miles upstream on the Hudson River from New York City is the small town of New City New York. From the late 1940's through the early 1960's, it was also home to Grand View Farm, a great saddlebred nursery. Over the years, and across the geography of the United States, there have been a number of farms by the name of Grand View. Adding to the confusion, horses from this farm were registered with both the prefix Grand View's and Grandview's. But make no mistake, this Grand View was owned by Frank Kupfer, and make no mistake about it, Frank Kupfer set out to establish a dynasty.

Beginning with the purchase of Man of Destiny in 1948, the Grand View horses started to trickle into the registration books. Man of Destiny was by Proctor's Red Light and was a winner of the 5 Gaited stallion stake in 1940, as well as being Reserve World's Champion that same year. He was owned by Grand View Farms until 1953, and his best offspring, CH Belle Destiny owned by Joan Robinson, was foaled after he had been sold. Evidently, he was sold to make way for the new stallion that Kupfer had purchased as a 3 year old in 1951. Golden Thunderbolt, by Anacacho Denmark out of Reverie's Desdemona, was a full brother to this famous family of siblings which included Kate Shriver, Clarma, Oman's Desdemona Denmark, and Ridgefields Denmark.

Meanwhile, Frank Kupfer was acquiring broodmares. One of the first was Song of Freedom by Society Rex. Sun Princess, bred by Cleo George who owned her sire Sun Beau, was out of Anacacho Princess BHF. That made her a full sister to sires Beau Gallant and Beau Fortune. Another mare purchased at a later time was WC Denmark Wild Flower by Anacacho Denmark. It was in 1950 that Frank Kupfer bought three mares that would really make a difference.

In the late 30's to early 40's, there were three 3 Gaited mares that were known to everyone in Saddlebred Land. They were Moreland Maid, the WGC 3 Gaited champion in 1937, CH America Beautiful, the WGC 3 gaited Champion in 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1944, and Nellie Pidgeon, the WGC 3 Gaited Champion in 1947. Moreland Maid and America Beautiful were owned in the early 1940's by Mrs. L. Victor Weil, who was also the owner of WGC Fine Harness Champion Vanity. Mrs. Weil was breeding Moreland Maid by the early 40's, but still campaigning America Beautiful and Vanity, right up until her death in July of 1945. At that time, Oscar Smith of Carolanne Farm purchased all the equipment and horses owned by Mrs. Weil's Fair City Stable. Mr. Smith, of Smith Douglass Fertilizer, showed America Beautiful as his personal mount. He died in 1950 and Frank Kupfer purchased the two mares as well as Nellie Pidgeon. Kupfer also bought the oldest daughter of Moreland Maid, 3 gaited show mare Maid of Orleans by King's Genius.

Listed below are the offspring produced through Mr. Kupfer's efforts. He died in 1962, so once again it was necessary that Golden Thunderbolt and some of the younger mares were sold off.