Morgan Horses @ Okereru

Morgan  AMHA 00134158
Born  09/07/93
Died 15/03/08

 Sprite was born in California at Chalk Mountain Morgans where they breed working western Morgans with Goverment blood lines; last year we received a lovely letter from Gloria Barnwell who bred him; telling us how she remembered his exceptional temperament as a foal.

 Brian and Margaret Robson imported him into New Zealand in 1996 and they had him for about six years. During that time he was broken into saddle and Brian enjoyed riding him on the beach amongst other places before he moved up to the Hawkes Bay in 2002 to live with us.

 Dad (Brent) had seen Sprite when he first arrived in New Zealand and had thought at the time if he ever brought a stallion he would like one like Sprite! So of course when given the chance to purchase him he jumped at it...

 His temperament was everything Dad thought it would be so the decision was made to run him with the two Part Morgan mares we had; (later to be added to by two Morgan mares). We found that he was as gentle and patient with the foals as he was with us; (we were beginners to horse breeding).

 A lot of the time he was missing chunks out of his mane and tail having had it chewed by foals. Dad on one occasion was distressed to find Sprite in the paddock with the foals...

 The mares nowhere in sight...
It turned out the mares were calmly grazing at the top of the hill having left Sprite on baby-sitting duties!

 We often had people in the paddock visiting the herd ask where the stallion was; only for us to tell them that he was the one he was cuddling!!!

 Sprite had everything we wanted in a stallion; a great temperament, good conformation a beautiful classic Morgan head and good bloodlines.
 What we are going to miss most of all though, is him; he had personallity to burn.
 He would undo your bootlaces and take the hat off your head;
Dad was once horrified to find him doing rolly-pollies down the hill only for Sprite to jump back up and do it again.

Sprite also carried very good bloodlines; Morgans of significance in his pedigree included:

Big Rock  A stunning chesnut with a flaxen mane he was 1965 American National Western Champion
Squire Burger  A chestnut of Brunk breeding, noted as a show and stockhorse; he also had great speed
Congo  1947 Grand Champion stallion; Illinois State Fair
Mansfield  Lead Sire, US Goverment Morgan Farm
Linsley  A major Morgan sire of Goverment breeding for remount stock
Sonfield  A much sought after stallion for his bloodlines and proven abilities in stock/western work
Bennington  His influence on the contemporary Morgan is thought by some to be secoundary only to Justin Morgan himself
Flyhawk  One of the great sires of Brunk bloodlines. Famous for his cross with Sentola; which produced many top horses, including Stetson. Champion Stallion in 1940 and 1941 at the State Illinois Fair

 Luckily for all of us Sprite lives on in his progeny. He has produced ... Morgans and ... Part Morgans; with four more on the way this season.
 And if you count their progeny he is now up to his fourth generation of descendants.

 We can look out in the paddock today and see him in the stock we have here; and who could ask for more than that!

Thank you Sprite...

I couldn't afford a Morgan so I brought the next best thing; a Part Morgan... I couldn't have chosen better...

 We had two short years getting to know each other, but during that time we got to know each other very well.
 What can you say about a little man with alot of attitude; unofficially he measured about 15 hands and he carried himself as if every millimetre of that height mattered. He had a little cheekiness about him and alot of spirit. He loved his cuddles and would allow Tess (Mum and Dads dog) to wash his face. He loved his Oddfellows to the extreme; (I had actually banned him from having them). And he was loyal to a fault.

 I had alot of dreams of what we would do together, trail riding, shows; the list goes on, he had just got a new bridle/halter for Xmas. I know we would have done it all.
 He had what you call heart...

 Sadly he passed away the day after New Years; after a strong fight to stay with us we had to let him go; he got that last oddfellow though. The memories he has left with me will stay forever.

 So for all you horse lovers out there, go and give your friend a cuddle and a treat!

I'm going to miss you my little mate, close to my heart you will stay.

Your friend Leigh

Anglo Morgan MHANZ 2/211/03
Sire Chalk Mtn Nimble Sprite Dam Secret Moon
Born 13/11/03
Died 02/01/03

Anglo Morgan  MHANZ A2/210/04
Sire  Chalk Mtn Nimble Sprite Dam Tui's Summer Secret
Born  04/08/04
Died  31/01/05

Stunning in temperament... Stunning in looks...

 Dude was a beautiful gelding who was tragically lost to us in a paddock accident; A dark bay 2nd cross Anglo Morgan who stood about 14.3 hands.
 He was the sort of horse who would catch your eye when you went to visit the horses on the farm.

 And his paces... they were what everyone would dream for in their horse.

 He would have made someone a brilliant friend and companion... He strived to learn and he picked up new challenges quickly; the saddest thing about him going is he never fulfilled his full potential.

Sorry Blue is not for sale but we do have their little brother Summer's Echo is...

Email okereru@inhb.co.nz 
672 Glengarry Road, RD2
Napier, 4182
New Zealand
Phone +64-06-839 5968