Lynne Sphak’s Statesman Legacy By Katherine O. Rizzo with photos supplied by Lynne’s many friends


cording to the American Morgan Horse As- sociation’s registry database, there are currently over 140 Morgan horses with the Statesman suffi x. But that is just the tip of the iceberg as there are probably over 140 more with States- man lines registered with other farm prefi xes and names. T is is Lynne’s legacy.


The Statesman


Lynne Sphak with one of her famed stallions, Chief of State


In today’s era of breeding sport horses, the word “Statesman” has become wide- ly synonymous with the word “Mor- gan.” Breeder Justin Morgan’s stallion Figure (later renamed Justin Morgan) may have sired the American Morgan Horse breed in the mid 1700s, but it is breeder Lynne Shpak’s stallion T e Statesman that has sired the modern Morgan sport horse. Although separat- ed by centuries, in a lot of ways Lynne’s careful breeding program aimed at cre- ating an all-around athlete was very similar to the intentions of Justin Mor- gan who recognized Figure’s versatility. Lynne’s goal was to produce top Mor- gan sport horses that would excel in a variety of disciplines while maintaining the composure and temperament suitable for amateur riders. She succeeded and shaped the Morgan breed across the country for the modern era of sport horses. But her passion was not to just breed Mor-


Although Lynne began riding as a toddler, it was not until 1968 that she fell in love with the Morgan breed. She had already established herself as a trainer at an early age, starting year- ling racehorses, foxhunting and showing in the hunter and jumper rings. She graduated from Oberlin College with a major in psychology and in her early 20s, began competing in dres- sage, carriage driving and endurance races.


REMEMBERING LYNNE SPHAK In 2015, a year after Lynne’s death, Statesman


Farm was inducted into the AMHA Breeder’s Hall of Fame. AMHA’s award presentation remarks in- cluded, “The Statesman horses are known world- wide for their exceptional temperament, beautiful eye, long fl oating stride, balanced canter and ca- denced walk.” Lynne herself stated in an AMHA breeder profi le,


“Temperament is, of course, of primary importance since even a sound, good moving horse is of little value if the temperament is poor. A good sport horse will be tractable, quiet but willing, confi dent, easy to train, and will possess self confi dence and kindness.” Both these quotes have been echoed again and


again by the hundreds of comments shared on The Equiery’s Facebook page when we sent out a re- quest for memories of Lynne Shpak and her horses. Below are just a few of these statements from those who knew her and those who have horses they cherish from the Statesman legacy. You can read more statements on equiery.com later this month.


“Growing up in the mid and late 90s, my family boarded our horses at Statesman’s, and my mom’s Curly Joy was often used as a lesson pony. I’d taken many lessons on Chevy, Treasure, ShyAnn, Seri, and others. Lynne taught the Centaurs 4-H club the ins and outs of hippology, horse judging, and more. I also remember riding my TB mare on the trails at Patapsco State Park on many summer afternoons. Lynne’s barn was a refuge for me in so many ways, and she was an extremely infl uential person. I, like so many others, miss her to this day.” – Charline Touchard (Culver City, CA)


The one that started it all: The Statesman


gans, she wanted to share this love with others and acted as an ambassador for the breed. She taught both riding and driving lessons, helped 4-Hers learn the ins and outs of horse judging and had an open door policy when it came to anyone who wanted to learn about the breed. Being just as multi-talented as her horses,


Lynne was also an artist. She sketched, painted and created wonderful works of art through her popular jewelry business. One cannot help wondering what more


Lynne would have brought to the breed and her community if her life were not tragically cut short on October 19, 2014. At the age of 74, Lynne was fatally injured while unloading a friend’s horse near Utica, New York, while trav- eling home from a friend’s wedding. T ankfully, Lynne’s amazing breeding pro-


gram did not die with her, as friends and those she had mentored from around the country stepped forward to continue T e Statesman’s lines using Lynne’s breeding philosophy. Ac- 20 | THE EQUIERY | JANUARY 2020


It was while in Vermont, when she was com- peting in the South Woodstock 100-mile com- petitive trail ride, that Lynne visited Marilyn and Harold Childs’ Harolyn Hills Farm. T ere, in 1968, she fi rst met T e Statesman. He was a liver chestnut colt by the stallion Lippitt Mandate and out of Major’s Lass. Nicknamed “Mandy,” his movement was what most attracted Lynne . She told T e Morgan Horse in 1994, “he fl oated.” Her love aff air with the Morgan breed began that very day. After purchasing Mandy, she brought him


back to Maryland and began to train him her- self. By the time he was two years old, she was showing him in open Morgan classes at lo- cal competitions. Although Mandy did catch many judges’ eyes, and always ended up in the ribbons, he didn’t start bringing home blues until his three-year-old season. He went on to win the English Pleasure Championship at the Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Show twice and at the Mason Dixon Classic three times. Outside of Morgan shows, Lynne rode him


in local and regional pleasure shows and also hunted him with packs in Howard and Carroll counties. Together they went on to compete successfully through Fourth Level dressage.


continued...


Stallion Chief of State lending his services at a birthday party for KC Ronkette’s kids.


“I met Lynne and started working for her in 1998. She became my mentor and very good friend through the years. She was at most of my kids’ birthday parties with her stallion Chief of State and her dog. I currently own a three-year-old gelding that is a Chief of State grandson and the son of Statesmans Skyhawk. His name is Statesman’s At Last.” – KC Ronkette (Ellicott City)


“We had Pony Club (Happy Hoofers) meetings and 4-H Meetings at her farm. She was always so generous with her time with the kids. It was also fun watching her ride solo on the trails of the Pata- psco State Park with her favorite horse.” – Cheryl London (Woodstock)


continued on page 48 800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52