Nicholas represents within the first 5 lines of his pedigree, all the lines mentioned below.
LIPPITT LINES - SPLITTING HAIRS by Jim Alexander
Tell me, if you can, who was really they typiest - Sealect, Lippitt Rob Roy, or was it John A. Darling? Who had a better temperament - Ashbrook or Moro? And who had a better front - Lippitt Sam Twilight or Cornwallis? And who moved better - Lippitt Ethan Ash or Lippitt Sam? And if we know the answers to these questions concerning these prominent Lippitt Morgan sires, do we wonder about the “why’s?” I mean, what is this so-called “Nekomia” breeding anyway? Can it be characterized and distinguished from other Lippitt lines? Should it be? Are we splitting hairs to attempt it - to define, even in general terms, not only what a “Nekomia influence” is, but is there such a thing as a “Sallie-line influence,” etc.? “Breed the sire to the best line in his dam,” and let it go at that. Then we don’t need more complications, and let’s keep it as simple and as basic as we can. Maybe. But for a few of us, there appears to this day evidence perceivable of the presence of distinct breeding lines within the Lippitt family. And the way for us to go, it seems, is the judicious crossing of these lines wherever and whenever possible - thereby lowering coefficients of inbreeding each step of the way. In the not too distant future, this discussion will become academic because as our large breeders gradually lose control of the majority of breedings in the Lippitt herd, the rate at which the “blurring” of these lines occurs will continue to accelerate dramatically. For the most part, the lines that I am going to mention in this article will be diluted finally to the point of being barely recognized. However, they are recognizable today, thanks mainly to the stubbornness of some of our most successful, former large breeders. The kind of breeders convinced that they, alone, were breeding the very best stock. There is nothing wrong with an attitude like that, and in fact, it is the kind of attitude that most probably saved the “Lippitt Morgan” and a lot of “Old Fashioned Morgans” from extinction.
Anyhow, if we are going to split hairs within the Lippitt Family, where do we start? When the Lippitts of Mr. Knight were dispersed in 1962, two of the breeding lines mentioned were the “Nekomia” family and the Sallie “family.” Basically, and in order to make it all fit, I have come to regard “Nekomia breeding” as that which comes from a combination of the blood of Moro (Welcome x Polly Rogers) and the blood of Bridget (Bob Morgan x Mare by Mountaineer). This would then have to be the deepest and most basic of all Lippitt lines and in fact contributes to the success of some of the others. It would include as some of its most notable contributors Lippitt Miss Nekomia (Lippitt Moro x Nekomia), her full sister Lippitt Gladys Moro, and John A. Darling (Moro x Bridget), for example. It should be noted that John A. Darling has nearly become the “figurehead” of his own line, a situation not a lot unlike the relationship between Upwey Ben Don and Government breeding. (Both Ben Don’s parents were bred by the Government Farm, but he went on to establish his own line of breeding.)
The Nekomia line is easily the largest and most influential in the Lippitt population. And for very good reasons. This is a very “doing” bunch, and one has only to touch upon some individuals with strong Nekomia lines to be reminded of their great and strong character - Dyberry Ethan, Equinox Royalty, Lippitt Miss Nekomia and some of the Dyberry Buddy progeny bred by Harriet Hilts, like High Pastures Eudora. And what about the strong Nekomia influence in 3-time Champion Lippitt Stallion, Stillwater Indigo? In spite of these impressive in-hand wins, owner Lester Welch remains proudest of Indigo’s wins in “doing” events. Many owners of Lippitts strong in Nekomia breeding are apt to be that way - like their horses, they want to go out and “do it.” The bold, aggressive style of some of the Nekomia horses is part of the reason we sought out and bred a very strong Sallie-line mare to a stallion with a heavy Nekomia influence (three times).
The Sallie-line mare that we acquired has a very high coefficient of inbreeding to Lippitt Sallie and she is quite typical of that line. She is well-made, no leg faults, travels low but very square and straight. She is sweet to be around (some call this child-safe), and in general is adored by all who know her. A bonus is her size and we think that she is ideally suited for an Ethan Ash/Nekomia stallion, such as my friend Lester’s Indigo. Of all the Lippitt farms that have influenced our present-day population, the on that put the most Sallie-line animals on the ground was the farm of Mrs. E.P. Rice. The Twilight and Meredith Lippitts represent some of the strongest concentrations of that blood still available. Mrs. Rice’s acquisition of Lippitt Moro Ashmore resulted in some wonderful breeding crosses that have been the basis for several breeding programs around the country. (Consider just two: Meredith Knight and Meredith Bruce).
Another Lippitt line that exerts influence on today’s population would be the Allen’s Major line. Horses like Ashwood Majestic and Hiker Joy should need little introduction to anyone following modern-day Lippitt breeding. Gerald and Anne Ashby in New York have bred the Allen’s Major blood both intensely and crossed it out with other lines with success. In very general terms, the line’s contributions include type (a lot of them are as good in the front as there is), showiness and great trots. A brief look at 19 year old Ashwood Majestic will serve as a blunt reminder of what a real “old type Morgan” used to be. I have recently seen a video tape of this stallion that could be a lesson for us all on this subject. Amazingly, on the same tape was actual footage (taken from a movie) of Sealect and John A. Darling, in-hand and in motion! The resemblance of Majestic to Sealect was nothing short of incredible.
The fourth line that I consider is still with us is what I call the “Old Vermont” line. Ethan Eldon would be its logical figurehead. This was a very popular line years ago, among Vermonters, and resulted in some of the best Morgans around. Frank Orcutt, father of Dr. “Bob” Orcutt, was responsible for producing some of this family’s best individuals on his farm in East Burke, Vermont. In later years, the Orcutts used some of this blood to produce excellent individuals by crossing it with Government breeding. We have Dana Kelley, Harriet Hilts, and Harrison Miles, among a few others, to thank that it survives to this day. In addition to Ethan Eldon, Trilbrook Joel and Nabob Morgan are examples of this “Old Vermont” breeding. Honest and intelligent, members of this line were used in Dana Kelley’s breeding cross with Ethan Ash and John A. Darling breeding. The results have been around for years and have given us some of the best Lippitt Morgans ever. The tremendous intelligence of this line is passed on to us today through, among others, the likes of Royalton Ashline and Royalton Ebenezer. Can anyone who “knows” those two dispute that? Ashline exhibits more traits additionally of the John A. Darling line (where did we think that backside came from?)
The last line that I feel is still exhibiting a strong influence on today’s Lippitts is the Lippitt Ethan Ash line. This issue (of the newsletter) is devoted to him - and why not? He was one of the best sires of sires that we have ever had in our Lippitt population. He sired stallions that went on themselves to produce outstanding offspring. Consider that he was the sire of Dyberry Ethan’s sire, the sire of Lippitt Moro Ashmore’s sire, and he was the sire of the stallion that sired Royalton Ashline, Royalton Minette, Royalton Minelda, and Ryegate Keziah. Additionally, he sired both Lippitt Duplicate and Dusky Kate! He was, by anyone’s estimation, a great source of beauty in our Lippitt population. My good friend Lester Welch, who knew many, many of the “old ones,” chose to build his own breeding program around Lippitt Ethan Ash. The coefficient of inbreeding to Ethan Ash is, in Lester’s herd, relatively very high. And it is no accident. Everybody likes a pretty horse. Indigo, Hope and Amora, full siblings, (Moro Hill’s Adonis x Natick Moro Independence), are heavy Ethan Ash and Nekomia breeding. How many of us have coveted this bunch? How could they miss?
And so I have described, in *extremely abbreviated form,* what I believe to be some distinguishably different Lippitt lines. Of course, it’s true that the vast majority of animals are mixtures of these lines, to varying degrees - and maybe this is good news, if we like the animals we are looking at today. And maybe we should stop “splitting hairs.” But tell me, if you can, *who* is the typiest - Ryegate Moro Magic, Meredith Bruce, Ashwood Majestic or Horton’s VT Standard? And please tell me why. And tell me if you can, why is it that Meredith Tiger moves so well for a compact, typey individual? And is it true that Lippitt Georgiana’s “babies” were prettier than Lippitt Nancy Moro’s? If so, why?
Enough said, except whatever you do, Breed a Better Lippitt if you can. Do it Your way or do it mine, but for all of us.....Do it!
And, quite naturally, for me that is, I have even one more thing that bears repeating, and so I will repeat it now. We all have our own personal favorites in this business, a situation which is bound to lead to temptations to (verbally) “put down” stock and even in some cases, the breeders of stock, that we are not fond of. We must learn to practice more vigilance in this area, otherwise we may unwittingly create havoc for all Lippitt breeders. Remember what Linsley said....”There has in some instances been manifested a disposition among persons owning stock of one of these families to endeavor to establish the reputation of their own animals by denying the good qualities of their neighbors. This is a weakness....”
(From LCN Vol XII, No. 4, pp 13-16. 1985)
LIPPITT LINES - SPLITTING HAIRS by Jim Alexander
Tell me, if you can, who was really they typiest - Sealect, Lippitt Rob Roy, or was it John A. Darling? Who had a better temperament - Ashbrook or Moro? And who had a better front - Lippitt Sam Twilight or Cornwallis? And who moved better - Lippitt Ethan Ash or Lippitt Sam? And if we know the answers to these questions concerning these prominent Lippitt Morgan sires, do we wonder about the “why’s?” I mean, what is this so-called “Nekomia” breeding anyway? Can it be characterized and distinguished from other Lippitt lines? Should it be? Are we splitting hairs to attempt it - to define, even in general terms, not only what a “Nekomia influence” is, but is there such a thing as a “Sallie-line influence,” etc.? “Breed the sire to the best line in his dam,” and let it go at that. Then we don’t need more complications, and let’s keep it as simple and as basic as we can. Maybe. But for a few of us, there appears to this day evidence perceivable of the presence of distinct breeding lines within the Lippitt family. And the way for us to go, it seems, is the judicious crossing of these lines wherever and whenever possible - thereby lowering coefficients of inbreeding each step of the way. In the not too distant future, this discussion will become academic because as our large breeders gradually lose control of the majority of breedings in the Lippitt herd, the rate at which the “blurring” of these lines occurs will continue to accelerate dramatically. For the most part, the lines that I am going to mention in this article will be diluted finally to the point of being barely recognized. However, they are recognizable today, thanks mainly to the stubbornness of some of our most successful, former large breeders. The kind of breeders convinced that they, alone, were breeding the very best stock. There is nothing wrong with an attitude like that, and in fact, it is the kind of attitude that most probably saved the “Lippitt Morgan” and a lot of “Old Fashioned Morgans” from extinction.
Anyhow, if we are going to split hairs within the Lippitt Family, where do we start? When the Lippitts of Mr. Knight were dispersed in 1962, two of the breeding lines mentioned were the “Nekomia” family and the Sallie “family.” Basically, and in order to make it all fit, I have come to regard “Nekomia breeding” as that which comes from a combination of the blood of Moro (Welcome x Polly Rogers) and the blood of Bridget (Bob Morgan x Mare by Mountaineer). This would then have to be the deepest and most basic of all Lippitt lines and in fact contributes to the success of some of the others. It would include as some of its most notable contributors Lippitt Miss Nekomia (Lippitt Moro x Nekomia), her full sister Lippitt Gladys Moro, and John A. Darling (Moro x Bridget), for example. It should be noted that John A. Darling has nearly become the “figurehead” of his own line, a situation not a lot unlike the relationship between Upwey Ben Don and Government breeding. (Both Ben Don’s parents were bred by the Government Farm, but he went on to establish his own line of breeding.)
The Nekomia line is easily the largest and most influential in the Lippitt population. And for very good reasons. This is a very “doing” bunch, and one has only to touch upon some individuals with strong Nekomia lines to be reminded of their great and strong character - Dyberry Ethan, Equinox Royalty, Lippitt Miss Nekomia and some of the Dyberry Buddy progeny bred by Harriet Hilts, like High Pastures Eudora. And what about the strong Nekomia influence in 3-time Champion Lippitt Stallion, Stillwater Indigo? In spite of these impressive in-hand wins, owner Lester Welch remains proudest of Indigo’s wins in “doing” events. Many owners of Lippitts strong in Nekomia breeding are apt to be that way - like their horses, they want to go out and “do it.” The bold, aggressive style of some of the Nekomia horses is part of the reason we sought out and bred a very strong Sallie-line mare to a stallion with a heavy Nekomia influence (three times).
The Sallie-line mare that we acquired has a very high coefficient of inbreeding to Lippitt Sallie and she is quite typical of that line. She is well-made, no leg faults, travels low but very square and straight. She is sweet to be around (some call this child-safe), and in general is adored by all who know her. A bonus is her size and we think that she is ideally suited for an Ethan Ash/Nekomia stallion, such as my friend Lester’s Indigo. Of all the Lippitt farms that have influenced our present-day population, the on that put the most Sallie-line animals on the ground was the farm of Mrs. E.P. Rice. The Twilight and Meredith Lippitts represent some of the strongest concentrations of that blood still available. Mrs. Rice’s acquisition of Lippitt Moro Ashmore resulted in some wonderful breeding crosses that have been the basis for several breeding programs around the country. (Consider just two: Meredith Knight and Meredith Bruce).
Another Lippitt line that exerts influence on today’s population would be the Allen’s Major line. Horses like Ashwood Majestic and Hiker Joy should need little introduction to anyone following modern-day Lippitt breeding. Gerald and Anne Ashby in New York have bred the Allen’s Major blood both intensely and crossed it out with other lines with success. In very general terms, the line’s contributions include type (a lot of them are as good in the front as there is), showiness and great trots. A brief look at 19 year old Ashwood Majestic will serve as a blunt reminder of what a real “old type Morgan” used to be. I have recently seen a video tape of this stallion that could be a lesson for us all on this subject. Amazingly, on the same tape was actual footage (taken from a movie) of Sealect and John A. Darling, in-hand and in motion! The resemblance of Majestic to Sealect was nothing short of incredible.
The fourth line that I consider is still with us is what I call the “Old Vermont” line. Ethan Eldon would be its logical figurehead. This was a very popular line years ago, among Vermonters, and resulted in some of the best Morgans around. Frank Orcutt, father of Dr. “Bob” Orcutt, was responsible for producing some of this family’s best individuals on his farm in East Burke, Vermont. In later years, the Orcutts used some of this blood to produce excellent individuals by crossing it with Government breeding. We have Dana Kelley, Harriet Hilts, and Harrison Miles, among a few others, to thank that it survives to this day. In addition to Ethan Eldon, Trilbrook Joel and Nabob Morgan are examples of this “Old Vermont” breeding. Honest and intelligent, members of this line were used in Dana Kelley’s breeding cross with Ethan Ash and John A. Darling breeding. The results have been around for years and have given us some of the best Lippitt Morgans ever. The tremendous intelligence of this line is passed on to us today through, among others, the likes of Royalton Ashline and Royalton Ebenezer. Can anyone who “knows” those two dispute that? Ashline exhibits more traits additionally of the John A. Darling line (where did we think that backside came from?)
The last line that I feel is still exhibiting a strong influence on today’s Lippitts is the Lippitt Ethan Ash line. This issue (of the newsletter) is devoted to him - and why not? He was one of the best sires of sires that we have ever had in our Lippitt population. He sired stallions that went on themselves to produce outstanding offspring. Consider that he was the sire of Dyberry Ethan’s sire, the sire of Lippitt Moro Ashmore’s sire, and he was the sire of the stallion that sired Royalton Ashline, Royalton Minette, Royalton Minelda, and Ryegate Keziah. Additionally, he sired both Lippitt Duplicate and Dusky Kate! He was, by anyone’s estimation, a great source of beauty in our Lippitt population. My good friend Lester Welch, who knew many, many of the “old ones,” chose to build his own breeding program around Lippitt Ethan Ash. The coefficient of inbreeding to Ethan Ash is, in Lester’s herd, relatively very high. And it is no accident. Everybody likes a pretty horse. Indigo, Hope and Amora, full siblings, (Moro Hill’s Adonis x Natick Moro Independence), are heavy Ethan Ash and Nekomia breeding. How many of us have coveted this bunch? How could they miss?
And so I have described, in *extremely abbreviated form,* what I believe to be some distinguishably different Lippitt lines. Of course, it’s true that the vast majority of animals are mixtures of these lines, to varying degrees - and maybe this is good news, if we like the animals we are looking at today. And maybe we should stop “splitting hairs.” But tell me, if you can, *who* is the typiest - Ryegate Moro Magic, Meredith Bruce, Ashwood Majestic or Horton’s VT Standard? And please tell me why. And tell me if you can, why is it that Meredith Tiger moves so well for a compact, typey individual? And is it true that Lippitt Georgiana’s “babies” were prettier than Lippitt Nancy Moro’s? If so, why?
Enough said, except whatever you do, Breed a Better Lippitt if you can. Do it Your way or do it mine, but for all of us.....Do it!
And, quite naturally, for me that is, I have even one more thing that bears repeating, and so I will repeat it now. We all have our own personal favorites in this business, a situation which is bound to lead to temptations to (verbally) “put down” stock and even in some cases, the breeders of stock, that we are not fond of. We must learn to practice more vigilance in this area, otherwise we may unwittingly create havoc for all Lippitt breeders. Remember what Linsley said....”There has in some instances been manifested a disposition among persons owning stock of one of these families to endeavor to establish the reputation of their own animals by denying the good qualities of their neighbors. This is a weakness....”
(From LCN Vol XII, No. 4, pp 13-16. 1985)
