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The Randallane Morgans Photo Gallery
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Bolton Fair
Lancaster Fairgrounds Massachusetts
September 27th & 28th, 2008
We always look forward to the Bolton Fair. An incredible woman, Linda Crabtree, heads up the Rare Breeds Division of the Fair. She is always on the ball, lining us up each year.
She loves the Lippitt Morgans, and hopes to, someday, own her own. Every year, we are given free BBQ tickets, and this year they even paid for our gas.
We usually have wonderful weather, but that changed this year, as a “left over” of a hurricane drenched the East Coast with several inches of rain.
We were excused from exhibiting on Saturday due to the rain. Our truck was already loaded to leave in the morning, and our horses had already been bathed. We set our sights
and clocks for Sunday morning.
The girls began arriving at 5:30AM as our goal was to load and leave at 6:00AM. We are to be parked, unloaded and set up by 8:00AM at the grounds; the fair opens to the public
at 9:00AM to the public.
The morning was pitch black, with thick clouds blocking any light. We had to leave the truck lights on to be able to load. All four horses loaded marvelously, without hesitation. We
loaded our two riding horses up front (Randallane Belyea Liberty (Hawk Ridge Elidon x Dew Meadow TippeCanoe Too) and Randallane AmazinProphecy (Randallane Genesis x
Randallane Amazing Joy); then two full sisters, the yearling Randallane Mercedes and Randallane Porsche (Randallane Genesis x Rosemary’s Baby) filled the back. Five excited
girls rode in the truck with me - the Nsyc tune of “Bye, Bye, Bye” turned high on the CD player (a must for any show or exhibition)!! My husband, Todd, followed with two of my sons,
Trey and Chase. Stefanie Sibley, age 23 (who has worked at the farm since she was 12 yrs old), drove solo to help with the demos.
We were scheduled for 2 demos, one at 1:30, the other at 4:00PM. Although it remained cloudy all day, it never did rain. The few times that the sun did try to break through, it
reminded us just how muggy, humid and hot it would be if it got it’s way.
Randallane AmazinProphecy
and Linda
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Erin with Liberty
Linda with Prophecy
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Randallane Belyea Liberty
with Amelia up
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The mud was beyond ridiculous. Throughout the fairgrounds, the grounds crew was continually spreading hay from round bales, and dumping wood chips, trying to help with the
mud that refused to be abated. Even those of us spending the entire day, refused to venture down any other routes that didn’t lead to the Fried Dough, Carmel Apples, or Cotton
Candy!! It made me feel very sad for all the vendors and people that put so much time and energy into making this historic fair so successful each year. The public was shuttled in
from offsite parking lots. Mosquitos were the state bird of the day - huge and very thirsty, Off became our new best friend. We sprayed ourselves and the horses thoroughly.
With Fair Food in hand, we continued to our favorite animal destinations. The Rare Breeds Pole barn is filled with very unique breeds of cows, geese, goats, sheep, etc. Goat and
sheep shows were already in process. A new class this year was Goat Agility - a lot of fun to watch! Sheep were being sheared, and cows were being washed for their classes.
Cages and cages of unique breeds of chickens filled one barn. All of these pampered pets were is perfect condition as they too had a show that morning and were in the process
of receiving their ribbons. My favorite this year was the Belgian Bearded d-Uccle Mille De Fleur hen.
Randallane Prophecy
with Cassie up
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Randallane Belyea Liberty
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Randallane Belyea Liberty
with Natalie up
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It didn’t take long for the girls to get itchy. The horse show, typically scheduled the same weekend each year, had been canceled due to the rain. That meant a free show ring
complete with set up, newly painted jumps. Liberty and Prophecy were saddled and led to the area by the happiest of girls. The girls took turns with Linda (14) and Natalie (13)
getting first ups, walking and trotting the horses. These girls didn’t know how to ride just a year ago; but they have the desire and determination and strong love of the horse. With
many hours put in at the farm, they are now both walk/trot winners at LCS 2008. Next Erin Morrell (14) and Stefanie were up. Erin has a fantastic seat and would have loved to have
jumped, but I had to curtail her excitement as she was still in a cast from breaking her wrist at a Friesian Horse Camp that she attended after the Lippitt Show in August. She was
content to ride the horses thru all three gaits though. Stefanie, being the most experienced, set each horse, in turn, directly at the jumps. We’ve done small cavaletties at home, but
nothing like these. Not surprisingly, these gamey little horses loved and accepted the challenge; and although they over-jumped, they sparkled! The crowds around the ring and on
the bleachers applauded, much to the delight of the girls!!. We have two new 10/11 year olds added to the farm volunteers this summer: Cassie La Shier, and Amelia Pelletier.
These girls help with grooming, training, and feeding. They got their turn up on the horses, each being led by the older girls.
Todd and I stood on the sideline getting pictures, and smiling with great pride at all these beautiful young equestrians. The future of the Lippitt rests in their hands.
The horses were then dismounted, and led back to the Lippitt Enclosure where the young fillies welcomed them back.
We were all able to get our BBQ meals, returning back to our tent to rest and eat. Our demo was announced by the loudspeakers all over the fairgrounds for 1:30. We had a great
turnout! The crowd was treated to the girls riding and showing in -hand all four of the horses. I read the history of the Lippitt sharing the unique “new England” treasure to all in
attendance. The crowd loves to hear all the local history of this famous horse. I then introduced each horse and the girl exhibiting it. We answered questions. After the demo was
complete, we atold everyone tht we would be bringing the horses down to the show ring to jump. Most followed us over to watch and applaud the big hearted jumping horses.
We were loaded and one of the first to drive out at 6:00PM when the fair closed for the year. We were all tired but felt exhilarated. Lots of hands makes for less work for
all. We look forward to next year’s Bolton Fair, as “Bye, Bye, Bye” played loud out of the truck speakers, we headed home to Randallane.
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So many photos ! Be sure to see them all!
Please visit:
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Randallane AmazinProphecy
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_____________________
Todd & Crescent Peirce
620 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360
Tel 413-498-5553 crescent@randallane.com
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Randallane Morgans
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