W

WINDMERE MAGIC;   IMR#0140
Foaled: May 20, 1979 and passed away November 27 2001.
Sire: Moro Hill's Mequon (Brown)
Dam: Windrift Noiriah (Gray)

"Magic Moments"

  A Tribute To Windmere Magic

Gordon & Magic

LINDA KONICHEK , EAGLE, WI -

The entire Morab community, as well as countless other horsemen in the Midwest, share the grief of owners, Gordon and Betty Weyrauch and breeder, Carol (Stankiewicz) Hardy, in the loss of Wisconsin's first and foremost magnificent, morab stallion, Windmere Magic.

Magic was one of the greatest Morabs and most beautiful Morabs I have ever known. He would have been 23 this spring and was owned by Betty and Gordon for over 20 years. Gordon always stated that they became old men together.

He was downed by that dreaded enemy of all horsemen, colic. When surgery was not recommended, Gordon had to end his suffering and have him put down. Now Gordon is inconsolable in the loss of his "Buddy" and friend of so many years.

The story of how this supremely beautiful horse was born and ended up at Magic Hill Farm is, in itself, "Magical."   Growing  up on a dairy farm. Carol Strong always dreamed of having a horse of tier own and she knew that horse would be named "Magic," because it would seem like Magic just for her to own one.

Years later when she had a job and money of her own, she started searching for her horse. By chance she read an article in Horse and Horseman magazine about Morabs, and decided that was the kind of horse she wanted.   Getting one wasn't easy, but then, as Carol tells it, good things are never very easy. First she got a lovely Arabian filly, Windrift Noiriah, who had been injured but would be sound for breeding.

Then she searched for an "old style" Morgan stallion and decided that Lippitt would be best. She found Moro Hills Mequon, who could have doubled for Justin Morgan, at the home of Bill and Linda Schroeder in New Berlin and proceeded with her "dream" by breeding her mare.

The next 11 months were very long, but Carol filled them reading books, talking to vets and breeders and worrying a lot. Finally, the big night arrived and thankfully all went according to plan, except that Noiriah, as a first-time "morn- wasn't too interested in licking her new little colt, so Carol toweled him dry as much as possible and enjoyed watching him struggle to find his feet.   Once he did that, he was very determined in finding something to eat and he expected Carol to provide that too, so she got out of the stall and gazed at this wonderful little guy, while he found his morn's milk.

He was the answer to her childhood dream that had taken so long to fulfill. And he was so very beautiful, a bay with a neat white blaze and just one left hind sock. Of course, she named him Windmere Magic.   As Carol states, "Magic was supposed to be my very own Morab to own, ride and enjoy. What I didn't expect was that he would be so exceptional that everyone would tell me I should keep him a stallion.

"For the first year or so I considered it. But, the more I talked to horse people, and visited breeding farms, the more I realized I could never do justice to this outstanding colt. I bred my mare again hoping for a filly I could keep."   Soon after that, Carol met Betty and Gor­don Weyrauch, from Magic Hill Farm, at a Morab meeting. Gordon came to her farm to be her farrier and ended up owning the young colt, and Magic was on his way to an out­standing show and performance career.

  Over the next 20 years he was a premier performer in open shows throughout the state (the Weyrauchs have a room full of trophies and ribbons to prove it), as well as the Morab presentation every spring at the Midwest Horse Fair.   He also performed at the Minnesota Horse Fair, Illinois Fair, Horse-A-Rama, the first Morab Extravaganza, and was one of the few, if only, stallions to be a part of the West Allis Western Days Parade, as well as any other special Morab promotions, always as a per­fect gentleman and always with such flair and beauty that everyone watching shared the Magic and memories.

  While thinking of the many proud moments I watched Magic perform, the words to a fifties song kept running through my mind," ... we'll have these moments to re­member ... Magic moments, moments filled with love."

  Here are some of the first tributes to Magic from the Internet after the announcement of his loss.  From Carol, "When Gordon called to tell me he was gone, it was such a shock. Gordon was devastated and I tried to find words to comfort. him, while the reality o' it all sank ill."  "I knew I could never have found a better home for Magic than with Gordon and Betty, and the great part of it was that I could go visit him any time I wanted to. I even got to ride him in the West Allis Western Days parade once.  That was a thrill for me - I'll never forget it."

  "That night I found it hard to sleep, as a video of  Magic ran through my head. I remember how we laughed when we let him out in the sunshine the first morning after he was born ... I remember his first show as a yearling when he won the class against five adult Morabs. he was so well put together that he had perfect  conformation, even as a yearling."

  "I Could go on and on, but other people have much to tell too and I'm having a hard time typing through the tears.  Farewell Magic, I plan to find you in the green pastures of' heaven someday. Your First Mom."

  From Andrea in Utah, "Was sad to hear of  the passing of Magic. Am not sure if I ever got to see him in person ... but have some of the IMBA videotapes with him at Liberty to the "Superman" theme song. Every time I hear it I think of Magic ... "

  From Tricia Aspen, " ... That horse was awesome. To watch him in motion was breathtaking. He was adored by many, especially, of course, Gordy. I have had only glimpses of the pair over the years, but each time you could see Gordy's pride in that mighty powerhouse of his. Magic was a great Morab representative; beautiful, sweet, athletic ... "

  From Karen Tellef, Illinois, "I'm sadly shocked to hear of the passing of' Magic; my own, Windmere Sparkler, was Magic's half­brother, so whenever one of Magic's get was at the Midwest Horse Fair, we would proudly introduce "Sparks" to his nieces and nephews. His latest was his 5-year-old son, Just Like Magic this Spring, ridden by 13-year-old Liz Fox. He was the spitting image of his sire (but will be much taller) and he did very well in this busy atmosphere.  The one thing I will never forget is one time when I was at a Morab show a couple years ago. Gordon's granddaughter (I think) was riding Magic dressage-style in an open English class. We were talking about how sweet Magic was. Gordon said that he was a real pain when it came to breeding time, because he was such a gentleman. He said that Magic would blow in a mare's ear and whisper sweet nothings, 'courting' the mare before breeding her! He said that if he could, Magic would probably take the mare to dinner and a movie!  If horses go to heaven, Magic's 'dance card' will be very full of people wanting a ride!" (And mares wanting to meet him.)"

  From Wendy and me, Magic was the first Morab stallion we ever saw and he became part of our hearts instantly. We were privileged to know him at the peak of his performance career, when he entered the ring with such power, zest and style that he swept aside all competition. We watched him win in every discipline, including halter, saddle seat, hunt seat, Western pleasure, driving and dressage. (Gordon even let Wendy, as a teenager, take Magic to team penning a few times, where lie did fine, and even nipped the calf when it didn't move fast enough!) He was never beaten in those days.  In my view, Magic had the most beautiful head and eye and balanced conformation of any Morab in his time, and his photo was always chosen by editors to promote the breed. I remember what a new idea it was that a small Morab should. not only compete, but win in dressage, and his scores were incredible.  Most of all I remember how kind and special he was with tiny tots and young people who*had the privilege of riding this powerful stallion, including Wendy.  He taught so many of them to ride and win, and he always took such good care of them in the ring.

In 1998, with a small, 12-year-old girl riding, Magic won the High Point Morab award at our Region IV Sliow~ he gave wonderful performances all day and he was just awesome!  He gave the newcomers a taste of what he had been in his prime; he was 20 years old at that show and the love and pride that little girl had for Magic were so obvious when she rode him and posed with him after winning still another class. Gordon and I joked about how nice it was for Magic to have such a light­weight rider in his old age.

Magic was the first stallion we bred to and we are so lucky to have his daughter, Jericho's Magic Lady, in our barn, as well as several of Magic's wonderful grand-get.  They are all a bit magical, but there was only ONE Magic, and, Gordon and Betty know how lucky they were to have owned and loved this superb stallion all those years. And we feel so lucky to have personally ridden and loved him; he will be part of our hearts forever!

Finally, from Ted Luedke, Missouri, “... Windmere Magic was the consummate Morab, the consummate stallion, the consummiate show horse, the consummate training horse, the consummate dressage horse, the consummate Western horse, the consummate driving horse - the, the everything horse. He truly did it all!"

"In those early days in Morab Wisconsin, Betty would show English or dressage and the kids in just about everything else, while Gor­don would show his stallion driving and in hand; it was truly a family event.  I showed against him many times and was happy just to get close to Magic in the ribbons. I was inspired by Magic's presence and it always renewed my commitment to Morabs.  Gordon and I had ridden side by side in the world's longest, nonmotorized parade for West Allis Western Days and the Wonago Rodeo, doing side passes, back and forth, etc. What a thrill!

"The name, Windmere Magic, from an announcer, brought a feeling of magic to all of us who knew him. Breeding horses means you learn not to get too attached, because the better you breed, the less time you have with them before they go to a new family.  I only choke up or get teary-eyed when the “National Anthem,” "Stars and Stripes Forever" or the “Marine Corps Hymn” is played, so why do I feel this way?  After all, he was just a horse. Just one of the horses that I most respected of all I have met, that's all!  Words cannot begin to say it all, but maybe one still can -      "Magic!"

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Windmere Mocha Royale IMR 05AE

Sire - Windmere Royal Topaz (Palomino Morab) Dam - Windmere Lady Omega (Bay Morab)

Breeder - Carol Hardy

Mocha is a beautiful buckskin Morab with the most friendly and willing disposition you could ever want to see. He is also very talented and athletic. He participates in a variety of events such as Western, Trail, Reining, Hunter, Equitation, Dressage, and Driving. Mocha attained his Bronze LAAP award in just one year of activities and was the 2003 Hearst Memorial Award winner.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

WRP SPRING ZEPHYR;   IMR198F
Foaled: 2/28/1998
Morgan Sire: PHF KNIGHT'S THUNDER (Bay Morgan) MHA126657
Arabian Dam: MAARAAH (Chestnut Arabian) AHR433900

Zephyr was bred by JoAnn Plummer on her Windrush Plantation farm, Blossom, TX.  Bought by Kristinn in February 2002.
Kristinn Bauer; Roxton, TX

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   WF RAPIDASH IMR

Arabian sire: Major Mirz  Morab dam: Minuet Waltz

Bred in Ohio, by Mary Jo Welsch and Juanita Dayringer, "Dash" is now living the life of luxury in Sacramento, California and resides in the historic Barbara Worth stables.

Accomplishments:

2001 MHA National Ch. Yearling Colt (Springfield, IL)

2002 AHCGT Glass City Classic (Toledo, OH)

2002 PMHA National Ch. Junior Morab (Lexington, KY)

2002 PMHA National Ch. Hunter under Saddle (Lexington, KY)

2002 PMHA Reserve Ch. Western Pleasure (Lexington, KY)

2002 PMHA National Ch. High Point Morab (Lexington, KY)

2003 Cal. Pleasure Horse Classic In-Hand Morab 2nd (Rancho Murieta, CA)

Dash has an older half brother LeJas Mickey D and a younger half brother WF Willamars El Corazon, both of whom are Morabs and doing well in the show ring. Mickey D is also showing an apptitude for dressage. Trainers in California believe Dash will do well in dressage also.

All three Morabs were trained and presented by Christyne Knisely LeJas Stables - Green Springs, OH

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windmere Erica  IMR#0136

Windmere Erica, Morab mare  with her 1995 Gray filly, BLT Lyric.  Erica, who has placed high in Open Morab and won the Produce of Dam Morab class, had her 11th foal born in 2002. Her produce have done very well in trail and endurance events. Bred by Windmere Farms and owned by Ted Luedke of the Box LT Morab Breeding Ranch, Ava, MO. tluedke@morab.com 417/683-4426. Lyric is owned and loved to pieces by the Cris Peterson family of Trevor, WI. Lyric shows how a foal can start as a beautiful bay and quickly change to Grey with good black points.

BLT Lyric IMR07A5