Visited the Meadow
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Visited the Meadow
Spent part of the day at the Meadow...now part of the Virginia State Fair. They had a little birthday party in honor of Secretariat and for the book Secretariat's Meadow due to be published in the fall. Penny Chenery's daughter Kate was there along with people who used to work at the farm. I got to see the stallion and yearling barns along with the foaling barn where Secretariat was born. A great-grandson of his, Rainaway is stabled there. He was rescued a couple of years ago. The land is beautiful and the plans for it are awesome--museum, equine complex, the works. Bill Nack also showed up which was cool. About 300 people showed up to check out the farm and hear some neat stories about Secretariat. The organizers weren't expecting that many people to show up! It was an awesome experience...and I will be buying the book...
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
You're welcome. Kate shared some of the stories the guys told her...she never told her mom until recently and Penny was aghast that Secretariat did such goofy things.
One day Somethingroyal came up to the gate without her colt beside her. Panic set in and the handlers went to go look for Secretariat. They found him swimming in the North Anna River...apparently having a grand time. They fished him out and brought him back to the barn OK.
They said Secretariat was a mischief maker...
One day Somethingroyal came up to the gate without her colt beside her. Panic set in and the handlers went to go look for Secretariat. They found him swimming in the North Anna River...apparently having a grand time. They fished him out and brought him back to the barn OK.
They said Secretariat was a mischief maker...
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
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drewsbadboy
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Shammy Davis
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Great story. My wife and I visited Meadow Farm about 10 years ago w/our youngest daughter. It was in great disrepair and I was horrified when visiting both SECRETARIAT'S and RIVA RIDGE'S stalls, that they were filled w/garbage. At the time, there was a small riding clinic in operation, but that was about it. The shed that Big Red was foaled in could be seen across the road to left of Chenery's brick home.
Even then, as sad a sight as it was, you could see the greatness that it once exhibited. I'm of the opinion that Chris Chenery was one of our most overlooked breeders. I'm so glad they are working on the restoration of the farm.
Even then, as sad a sight as it was, you could see the greatness that it once exhibited. I'm of the opinion that Chris Chenery was one of our most overlooked breeders. I'm so glad they are working on the restoration of the farm.
I like how they are going to make it the centerpoint of equine activities complete with the Museum of the Virginia Horse.
The house is also getting worked on which is nice. They are asking for donations...you can sponsor a stall in the barn (get a plaque on the door) or plant trees; the monies will go to building the equine complex and other facilities.
I can't wait to read the book...a lot of history. And yes, Mr. Chenery was definitely overlooked as a breeder of quality thoroughbreds.
The house is also getting worked on which is nice. They are asking for donations...you can sponsor a stall in the barn (get a plaque on the door) or plant trees; the monies will go to building the equine complex and other facilities.
I can't wait to read the book...a lot of history. And yes, Mr. Chenery was definitely overlooked as a breeder of quality thoroughbreds.
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
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Shammy Davis
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- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2004 8:23 am
You know I've thought about this alot. I think Chenery could have cared less about the stallion side of his breeding pedigrees. He was definitely a breeder who knew mares. It is such a shame that we don't have a great deal of documentation about how he pursued his breeding program. He was a breeder who looked for financial opportunities, the good deal so to speak, when it came to selecting stallions for his mares. That is how he ended up w/both SECRETARIAT and RIVA RIDGE. He was definitely willing to take a chance on his homebreds also. You don't have three superior Blue Hens on your farm without knowing what you are looking for.
Sadly, I don't think Penny Chenery or her brother and sister were privy to their fathers thoughts on breeding. Their experience with racing came at the end of Chenery's life.
I know historically that Chenery sent a great many mares to Richard Hancock. That tells me that he based his breeding efforts on his mares. Hancock, at Ellerslie near Charlottesville, stood CELT at the time and then PRINCEQUILLO. Chenery also had SUN BEAU for a short time.
You know Barbaro06, it's a smart man who knows that success is largely based on the support of a good women.
Sadly, I don't think Penny Chenery or her brother and sister were privy to their fathers thoughts on breeding. Their experience with racing came at the end of Chenery's life.
I know historically that Chenery sent a great many mares to Richard Hancock. That tells me that he based his breeding efforts on his mares. Hancock, at Ellerslie near Charlottesville, stood CELT at the time and then PRINCEQUILLO. Chenery also had SUN BEAU for a short time.
You know Barbaro06, it's a smart man who knows that success is largely based on the support of a good women.
I have so enjoyed this posting about the Meadows. My friends and I are lucky enough to have owned a daughter and a great-granddaughter of Secretariat, both rescues and both redheads.
I especially enjoyed the part about Secretariat's goofy personality. Both of our girls share that.
His daughter, Kristin Ann, who passed in 2008 from the damage done through many years of neglect, loved people. I still remember how she'd "herd" me to her food tub. I'd take her for walks in the residential neighborhood near her pen and all her admirers would come to greet her. She was the kindest horse I've ever known.
His great-granddaughter, Sierra, had been starved most of her short life, but it sure didn't harm her zest for life. She is the nosiest horse I've ever known! Everything has to go in her mouth to play with. She unties ropes, plays in dirt piles, and empties a 50 gallon water tub by splashing in it almost daily. Her nickname is "the brat"<g>. I think she must have inherited that love of water from her great-granddad.
I can't wait to read the new book! Kathy P.
I especially enjoyed the part about Secretariat's goofy personality. Both of our girls share that.
His daughter, Kristin Ann, who passed in 2008 from the damage done through many years of neglect, loved people. I still remember how she'd "herd" me to her food tub. I'd take her for walks in the residential neighborhood near her pen and all her admirers would come to greet her. She was the kindest horse I've ever known.
His great-granddaughter, Sierra, had been starved most of her short life, but it sure didn't harm her zest for life. She is the nosiest horse I've ever known! Everything has to go in her mouth to play with. She unties ropes, plays in dirt piles, and empties a 50 gallon water tub by splashing in it almost daily. Her nickname is "the brat"<g>. I think she must have inherited that love of water from her great-granddad.
I can't wait to read the new book! Kathy P.