Morgans, Gourmet Food, Classic Cars – 
                  A Great Combination to Promote the Breed

June 23 and 24, 2007 was a weekend filled with  great Morgans, gourmet food and wine, and classic cars at Merriehill Farm in Marengo, Illinois. First up on a beautiful Saturday evening was a wine tasting and gourmet dinner presented at Merriehill by local restaurant Flatlander Market.  Each guest was greeted with a plate of hors d’oeuvres and glass of wine while entering the barn to meet the many Morgan horses as well as the Merriehill human team. 
After exploring the barns and pastures – where they met show horses, pleasure horses, stallions, mares and foals – guests entered the outdoor ring to find elegantly appointed tables set under a tent in the lush infield.  Flatlander owner Rocco and his staff prepared a wonderful five course meal, with each course accompanied by a different Illinois wine.  Dinner selections included appetizers of antipasto and stuffed pasta with artichoke hearts and peppers; a main course of seared duck breast and pork tenderloin; a wonderful fresh salad; and finished with lemon drop cheesecake for dessert.  Beautiful Morgan horses, some already champions and others just starting their careers, provided entertainment throughout the dinner.  

     These Morgans showed off the versatility, beauty, charm and  personality of the breed to nearly 50 appreciative guests. 
   First, in his debut before an audience, the yearling colt Benediction, owned by Keepsake Morgans, modeled with Whitney Bodnar.  Next, Greg Fancsali performed with his exciting 4 year old Classic Pleasure Saddle gelding Cingate Shoot the Moon.  The Hunter Pleasure division had two stellar representatives in Merriehill Isa Boo, owned by Epona Morgans and ridden by Jessica Cavanaugh, and LLL Trotsky, owned by LLL Enterprises and ridden by Irene Doroff. 
      The three year old gelding Cingate Lucky Star, owned by Cingate Morgans and led by Whitney Bodnar, exhibited the elegance, presence and beauty that have earned him world titles.  Jamie Gruenberg of Stone Ledge Farm in South Beloit , Illinois brought a wonderful representative of the Western Pleasure division with MCM American Prayer, owned by Susan Martin.  Not to be outdone, 8 year old best friends Sarah Simonson and Megan Burns showed off their riding skills, honed and nurtured by Jessica Cavanaugh in the Merriehill lesson program, with their equine partners Merriehill Sea of Secrets and October Beaumont.  Merriehill Destiny Bay, a five year old Classic Pleasure Driving gelding owned by Cristy Rafn delighted the crowd with his flagged tail and powerful trot.  

      The final act of the evening found CBMF Fully Loaded, a beautiful four year old gelding owned by Sally and Brittany Rae Balleto and ridden by Stan Bodnar, demonstrating the English Pleasure division with style. The next afternoon, it was time for classic cars and more Morgans! The Centerville Antique Auto Touring Society decided to make Merriehill Farm the stop on their monthly outing into the countryside.  Approximately 40 club members stylishly arrived at Merriehill in their beautifully preserved, colorful antique cars that gleamed in the sunshine.  They strolled through the barns and relaxed under the tent still set up from the previous night.  Merriehill trained Morgans again performed for an appreciative audience.  Merriehill Times Square and Beth Fancsali put on a driving exhibition.  Brittany Balleto took over the irons filled the night before by Stan Bodnar and rode her English Pleasure gelding CBMF Fully Loaded.

    After both events, many guests spent more time in the barns, giving well deserved peppermints to the equine performers (and the other Morgans who also love attention!).  All were eager to learn about the breed and different styles of performance.  Numerous glowing comments about Morgans and expressions of interest such as “I’d like to do that” were heard throughout the events, 

confirming the natural ability of Morgans to promote themselves. A grand time was had by all and a worthy cause benefited, as a portion of the proceeds from the Flatlander dinner was donated to the Marengo Volunteer Fire Department. 

    Merriehill plans to hold more events like these – spreading the word about our wonderful breed to the public and having fun at the same time!