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What is a
Lippitt Morgan Horse
The Lippitt is descended through
a "cornerstone" stallion, Ethan Allen 2d #406, foaled in 1877 and
bred by the Peters family of Bradford, Vermont. Every Lippitt shows
numerous crosses to this great stallion. He in fact bears the same
relationship to the Lippitt as the original Figure does to the
entire Morgan breed.
Ethan Allen 2d remains a symbol of
the fundamental precepts of Morgan breeding for the Lippitt Club,
tracing back to Figure in a direct line of descent. This direct
line was almost lost to us on several occasions, and preserving it
is as fascinating as the horse itself.
The early 1900's were the darkest
days for the Morgan horse. As the automobile arrived, the need for
harness or road hack horses disappeared. Only the U.S. Government
Farm, with its program of outcrossed Morgans, and a few dedicated
breeders kept the Morgan breed from extinction. When Mr. A.
Fullerton Phillips came to Vermont in the early 1900's to raise
Morgans, he had a difficult time finding the pure-blooded Morgans.
Only in eastern Vermont was he able to find individuals with the
pedigree and type which he felt represented the early Morgans. His
program produced a wonderful herd, including the legendary Ashbrook,
which was admired and respected by many of his contemporaries.
About 10 years into his program, a tragic lightning strike killed
12 of his precious broodmare band. Although many others survived,
it was said that he died of a broken heart three years later.
In 1921, Mr. Robert L. Knight
of Rhode Island purchased the Green Mountain Stock Farm in
Randolph, Vermont. Six years later, he purchased from Mr. Phillips'
estate. These horses might have been lost to us forever had it not
been for a nameless feed delivery man who persuaded Mr. Knight to
save the Phillips breeding program. These horses, as well as
Morgans bought that same year from other sources, were to become
the foundation for his "Lippitt" breeding program.
The Lippitt Club has taken its name
from Mr. Knight's breeding prefix, because in the early 1970's the
name Lippitt was still closely identified with "old type." It is
also a fitting tribute to Mr. Knight for the major role he played
in saving the traditional Vermont Morgan from extinction. The
Lippitt Club recognizes many horses of the old bloodlines, however,
which do not necessarily carry the Lippitt prefix. Other
bloodlines, such as those of Select, Ethan Eldon, and John A.
Darling, show the same origins and are considered Lippitts by The
Lippitt Club. On the other hand, Mr. Knight occasionally outcrossed
to other Morgan strains. The Lippitt Club does not consider the
produce of these matings to be full Lippitt, despite the fact that
they carry the Lippitt prefix.
Robert L. Knight's 40-year breeding
program established a recognizable herd with a high concentration
of clean-blooded Morgans. As a result, today's Lippitts tend to
look, as well as act, like the legendary Figure.
www.lippittclub.net
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