Happy Friday! Here is your Friday Flashback, an article about Lippitt Norman by founding club member Nancy Plimpton:
“Lippitt Norman” AMHA 10031
by Nancy C. Plimpton
Foaled on April 12, 1948, Norman was a chestnut and stood 14.2 hands high, was bred by Robert Lippitt Knight of Providence, RI, and born on Mr. Knight’s Green Mountain Stock Farm in Randolph, Vermont. Norman was sired by Lippitt Selassie 8329, by Lippitt Moro Last 7884, by Moro 7467, by Welcome 5702.
Norman’s dam was Lippitt Nora 05728. Nora was by Lippitt Searchlight 8167, by Lippitt Sam 7857, by Ashbrook 7079, second dam was Nekomia 04489, by Ashbrook 7079, by Croydon Prince 5325, third dam Bridget 02852, by Bob Morgan 4549 and out of a daughter of Mountaineer 676.
Norman may have been mistaken as being long bodied, but most of that was because of his laid back shoulder and his long flat hip. He had good depth of body when in good flesh, but due to his nervousness that was not too easily done. His legs were straight, with short cannon bones. His neck came straight up out of his shoulder – the front straight with no bow. His head was nice with a flat face, and good width between his eyes. His eyes were soft, although they could have a wild look when he was really nervous. His ears were very small and would get lost in his thick foretop. He had a heavy mane and tail. His gait was bold but smooth. He had a marvelous fast trot. He had a nervous spirit, always on springs, never walking a step or standing still, always calling. And I believe because of that he had once been misunderstood and misused, because his tongue had been cut nearly halfway across. Although he had such nervous energy, he was a kind horse, never doing anything wrong and a pleasure to be around.
At the Green Mountain Stock Farm, Norman was trained to ride and drive by Lester G. Welch. Norman was the first horse that Lester trained at the Stock Farm. Lester bought a Meadowbrook cart for he big sum of $5.00, and he would hitch Norman up to it and drive around. While still at the Stock Farm, Norman sired Lippitt Hannah, Royalton Rosemary Moro, and Lippitt Simeon. June 21, 1952 drew to a close Robert L. Knight’s her of 54 mares and stallions and 9 suckling foals. They were sold at auction after a quarter of a Century had been devoted to the preservation of the Lippitt Morgan strain. The high dollar was paid for Lippitt Gladys Moro, $1450.00. The sale average was $425.00 with Lippitt Selassie $400.00 and Lippitt Nora $550.00. Norman was sold to George L. Bunce of Buffalo, NY for $270.00. Then in 1955, he was sold to Donald N. Green of Kenmore, NY. Mr. Green was very fond of Norman, and he used him in the rodeo. Norman sired three (half-Lippitt) daughters between 1965 and ’67: O-At-Ka Moro Belle, Lady’s Pam Ginger, and Norman’s Fleeta. Lester Welch bought one of the daughters at an auction, and there met Mr. Green. After talking with Lester and realizing Norman’s genetic value, Mr. Green then decided that it would be better for Norman to go back to his birthplace to be used at stud. So at the age of 21, Norman was sold to Lester and came back to Vermont. Norman and his full sister Lippitt Norma were the highest percentage Morgans of their time.
The move was upsetting for the old horse, and he had trouble settling down. Turning him out was useless. He would just run the fence. Inside, he would stall-walk and get that wild-eyed look. Lester tried different stablemates to no avail. He then moved Norman to a place by himself, and still he wouldn’t settle down. As time went on so did the concern for the poor old horse. Then one day Lester put a rooster in with Norman and every time Norman would start pacing the stall, the rooster would fly at him. In no time, Norman stopped his pacing and settled down.
After Norman’s return to Randolph, he sired Meredith Nora, (1/2) CC Jeremiah, (1/2) Royalton Misselette, Royalton Ardythe, Nabub’s Belnora, Meredith Major Jeff, (1/2) CC Brandy, OB Heather Twilight, Rohan Lassie Moro, An-Nel-Le Daniel, CC Eres Tu, Rohan Ethan Moro, (1/2) Jewel’s Wildfire, and Rohan Mighty Mouse. There were 9 bays and 12 chestnuts, giving him a total of 21 offspring, of which 13 were full Lippitts.
Norman was laid to rest at the age of 28 years, but his legacy lives on.
(For those of you doing the math and coming up one short on the offsprings’ names, as I did, please note that Nancy’s article does not mention one of the progeny, a half-Lippitt mare named Nordale. HJ)
