A chance meeting with Cramahe resident, Anita Jackson brought us this story from Canadian Morgan Magazine. Many of us know Anita for her fine flowers and vegetables and her market gardening. Fewer know that she was once a professional ice skater in a major skating revue.
We are posting the magazine story with a few photos contributed by Anita.
The story of Anita Jackson - CMHA 35 year member Ontario
In 1972, I saw my first Morgan horse. They are a breed that has been close to my heart ever since. And yes -with a current herd of 35, they can be a burden, but over the years, there have been many thrilling and endearing moments.
The first thrill was bringing home Adanac Baron who became the foundation stallion of Baronial Morgans. He was bought as a potential trail horse but ended up being much, much more.
He was a Champion as a yearling, by winning the Canadian Bred Class at the Ontario Morgan Horse Show held in Markham in 1973 against all ages and sexes. It was a good start and a proud moment for the first-time showing for both of us. He went on to win many Championships: In Hand, Pleasure Driving, English Pleasure and Western Pleasure.
He accumulated enough show points to earn six Justin Morgan Honour Awards and was only a few short to master other criteria. Baron was a great friend for 31 years. Personal circumstances shortened his showing career but led to my next Morgan experiences.
There have been 88 foals born at home. Many of these carry the Baronial prefix, but others have been sold unregistered as many buyers did not care about papers - only their experiences enjoying a Morgan horse. For all, I have kept my own personal records.
I have learned that part of promoting the breed comes from the character of the horse, not just the breeding on the papers. We must try to keep the expenses of registration on an individual at a minimum to maintain the history of all our Morgans. Many individuals don't want that added price.
As a breeder, I want to maintain the accuracy of all individuals, but marketability is a priority. Baron's offspring have one of the highest percentages of Bulrush blood to be found today through Raven Chief and Major Gordon. Bulrush of course, is one of the three best known sons of Justin Morgan #1. So Baron contained all three of these sons, the other two being Sherman and Woodbury. Searching early pedigrees can be very exciting.
My main focus for the last few years has been looking after the Baronial herd, but along the way there have been other contributions. In the earlier years, I did a promotion stint for the Ontario Morgan Horse Club. Then there were two or three years as Historical Rep. of the Canadian Morgan Horse Club and six years as Canadian Equestrian Federation Rep. for the Ontario Morgan Horse Club which included the scoring of the CEF (now Equine Canada) Ontario Morgan Awards.
There were Eastern Ontario Awards and Ontario Awards. All scoring had to be from rated shows and there had to be at least four shows with "Like " classes or there was no award.
But not only did I live and breathe Morgans; skating and being a figure and power skating coach has occupied many winter days since 1968. My 24-year-old daughter, Stacy, accompanied me on a lot of these occasions to become a Triple Gold Test Level Skater. She is now at Queen's University, in Kingston, doing a Masters in Occupational Therapy.
This year will mark my 25th wedding anniversary to my husband Terry. He continues to be a mixed farmer and market gardener. Every Saturday, between May and December, for the last 26 years, we have been at the Cobourg Farmers Market. Here people can socialize over the pros and cons of farming and discuss the attributes of the Morgan horse.
Life has been busy and continues to be so. We have relative good health and we are watching for the arrival of this year's foals.
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