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Trilbrook Joel – A Lippitt Profile
by Nancy Plimpton
from LCN Vol. IX, No. 3, pp. 1-3, 1982.
Trilbrook Joel (Nabob Morgan x Lippitt Sandra), a brilliant chestnut, was foaled in Oxford, CT on March 21st, 1955. He was bred by Harrison Miles. Harrison recalls when he moved to Hartland, VT, Joel was 2 or 3 weeks old. When they arrived at the dirt road leading up to the new farm, they found it very muddy, with a three foot ditch running up to it. They unloaded Joel with his dam and started up the mile-long hill. Little Joel sized up the situation with his head held high with pride. Like a big horse, he walked up the muddy washed out road without hesitation.
Joel was very easy to train; he did what was asked of him and did it well. He very much enjoyed being used. He never offered to nip, strike, or kick. He was stalled beside Lippitt Sylvester without any problem. He didn’t like it, however, when another stud was taken out on the floor, and would fuss when they were taken past his stall. Joel was so gentle and easy to handle that all breeding was done with the leadline only snapped into the halter ring. He was used on Grades as well as Registered mares. His get number around 25. Joel was the first stud that Harrison bred, and raised, and he believes Joel was one of his best. He was never shown and died at the relatively young age of 13. He stood 14.3 hands with a strong solid type and good bone. He passed on to his get the versatility and gentleness of his nature.
Mrs. Frances Bryant recalls that Joel was good stud material. With a good head and eye, good length of neck, nice shoulder, full bodied, with a good back and croup, Joel possessed qualities hard to find in those days. She also appreciated his gentle nature and style and action.
Judy Barwood of Noremac Morgans remembers breeding to Joel because she liked the attitude and gentle nature of a gelding of similar bloodlines. The resulting foal had the same disposition and willingness of her sire, and was good with children, making a fine family pleasure horse.
Joyce Searles of Westminster, VT owned a son of Joel’s named Trilbrook Jason, out of Nabob’s Christine. Like his sire, Jason was easy to train, being show in harness some, and under saddle. Jason was sold to a Doctor in CT who used to drive him to the bank’s drive-up window. It was reported that Jason seemed to know when the traffic light was going to change.
Gail Avent in New Hampshire had a son of Joel’s named Judson. He was also very gentle and used on competitive rides, pulled out logs, pulled toboggans, and a little girl used him for a 4-H project. Judson and the little girl took many Championships.
Harriet Hilts of High Pastures Morgans bred to Trilbrook Joel mainly because of his breeding. She liked the way he was made, too, but his bloodlines appealed to her.
(Editor’s note from Jim Alexander: Trilbrook Joel, to me, is a very fine representative of the “Old Vermont” Lippitt line. It is one of the smaller of Lippitt lines (and getting smaller), but one of the best. Our “Lippitt” population is today so much better off because of the influence of this line.)
Photo of Trilbrook Joel from the cover of LCN Vol IX, No 3 1982.
