A Tribute To Statesman Farm I had the honor of meeting Lynne Shpak and seeing Statesman horses in 1983. I had just moved to MD and a friend had one of Lynne's horses - Statesmans Mandolyn (Mandy, named after her sire, The Statesman, whose barn name was Mandy.) When I saw my friend's horse, my jaw dropped and I whispered "I didn't know there were still Morgans like this left!" My friend replied "I
know where there is a whole farm full of them!" About a month later, she took me to meet Lynne and the horses of Statesman Farm. The first thing that impressed me was EVERY horse on the farm had similar conformation - lovely, laid back shoulders, equilateral triangles in their rear ends; angled hocks and stifles, to enable collection and engagement, necks that filled the shoulder properly (no upside down or bull necks on these horses!). I remember Lynne always used to say the mares were in with Mandy (The Statesman), not to keep him calm but to keep the MARES calm!! When she introduced me to Mandy, I thought I was looking at a piece of living history! THIS is what Justin Morgan looked like! And when she rode him, the two became one being. He floated across the arena, happy in his work, three beautiful gaits. Most Morgans have a decent trot, but the Statesman lines are known for their true, three beat jumping canter, and this is why they have been so successful in the dressage world. I remember Mandy lovingly rubbing on Lynne after their ride...and her chastising him with her "dat dat!!" :) Mandy was amazing - we used to say he was a human masquerading as a horse. Mandy won numerous accolades with Lynne in the saddle, or on the box seat - hunter shows, dressage shows, endurance rides/drives, combined driving events - he did it all. Then he came home, babysat the mares, and gave riding lessons to kids and physically challenged adults and children. He was truly a once in a lifetime horse. I remember well when Lynne had to put him down - she cried for two years...she had lost her soulmate. By then Mandy had given her Chief of State, who stepped into his father's shoes as senior sire on the farm. And like his father, Chevy too had so many achievements - just one of which was winning National Pair Championship with his half brother Atavista Statesman (Express) in 1990 under the guidance of Bill Lower. Express later went on to win the single horse driving CDE championship, being the only horse to have ever won both titles. I could go on and on about the various Statesman horses I've known over the years and how special each one of them was. But they all had the same conformation, way of going, sweet disposition, and the reason for that was Lynne Shpak. Lynne had so much talent; she was one of the greatest horseman I've ever known; she had a huge, kind heart, and took in horses, dogs and humans who needed a home. She was an amazing artist, and many of us in the equine world wear the jewelry she made for us, crafted from her beloved Morgans. She was also a beautiful painter, and I'm lucky to have a portrait of Statesmans Eclipse, my statesman stallion, she did for me in 1990. Lynne was quick to laugh, always up for a visit to other Morgan farms, and would help anyone who asked her. She used to call me Katels... :) Ensigns Grace Farm is proud to carry on the traditions inspired by Lynne and Statesman Farm. We try to breed our horses in the manner she taught - maintain balanced, airy, correct movement first and foremost, which is achieved through proper conformation. Lynne used to say her foals moved in proper self carriage, balanced and moving back to front from the day they hit the ground. I am so proud to say, our foals do the same! But Lynne is the reason for our success - her genetics, her training, her wisdom on breeding these lines. I owe it all to her. Through Statesmans Eclipse, my Chief of State daughter (Statesmans Lady Grace), my Atavista Statesman daughter (Ensigns Elegance), and Statesmans Skyhawk son (Majestic Ensign), Ensigns Grace has most of the living Statesman lines here on the farm. I am now ready to start crossing the ten grandchildren of these lines back onto each other, concentrating that Statesman blood in the next generation. This is what Lynne taught me to do. She approved the outcrosses of Jubilee King, Funquest, working western and Ulendon that are found in my purchased broodmares. But more important than pure foundation bloodlines, was the balanced movement. When crossed on Statesman lines, the movement is capable of upper level dressage competition. Eclipse proved he could be successful at FEI levels against all other breeds -- THAT is what these Statesman lines offer. Lynne, I miss you. I miss your beautiful smile, your laugh, your warm hugs. And I miss your wisdom about these horses. I am trying to carry out the breeding program you taught me, to watch for the conformation faults you told me to avoid, to not to compromise on the movement no matter what. I hope, dear friend, you are looking down from heaven and smiling. Love, Katels