Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Susan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:01:08 GMT

Secretariat's birthplace, Meadow Farm, was at risk for development, and now it has been developed. It is the Meadow Event Park, new home of the Virginia State Fair. Although there are no longer grassy fields full of horses, many of the original horse-related structures have been retained, including the small building in which Secretariat was foaled. And it will be the location of many horse-related events. I do hate to see the loss of agricultural land, especially that associated with horses, but I feel it is better to have an "event park" than shopping centers, big box stores and housing subdivisions.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Tim G — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:36:58 GMT

josh, Bill Jr has said Storm Cat will live his days out at Overbrook, even if it's not leased as a TB farm and if he decides to run cattle on it. I hope he's true to his word, hope Lucy and Chris keep him to it.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

needler in Virginia — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:29:54 GMT

After reading this piece, one must wonder just what "developed" might mean. After all, there are "developed farms" like Overbrook, Claiborne and the other large and famous established facilities; then there is a "development", but I cannot entertain those thoughts, especially when discussing the passing of an institution like Overbrook. The spectre of condo after condo rises in my nightmares...........BLAH!

Lovely piece and a sad one, as well. Thank you for the trip, Esther, and for the photo of the Cat.... what an eye!!

Cheers and safe trips to all.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Lexc — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:27:21 GMT

Just beautiful! A horse's eyes say it all .. and that is a happy horse!

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

will — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:07:35 GMT

Storm Cat is lovely, and he has that very narrow blaze reminiscent of Secretariat. I hope he doesn't get lonely. Thank you for this piece.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

CatLover — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:19:48 GMT

Thanks for the article and picture of Storm Cat. By just looking at his face, he shows nothing of his 26 years. I was just looking at Gone West's stallion page and his year of birth which led me to think about Storm Cat...and here he is. Which now also leads me to wonder about Storm Cat's health...how is he? It was sad when Gone West passed but it will be the saddest day when Storm Cat passes. Here's hoping that there is some truth to a healthy libido and vitality, that even tho' his stallion days are over, he still has some reserves left in the tank to carry him thru' for a few many more years to come.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

josh — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:44:54 GMT

so what is going to happen to storm cat next. the horse park?

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Tim G — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:59:11 GMT

Being in Lexington, seeing the Overbrook horses go through the sale? Can't help but get a little choked up thinking of WT and his win in the Derby, then in the Classic. Seems like when he passed, it was the beginning of the end to TB racing as we know it.

Course we know that folks have to do what they have to do but a beautiful place like Overbrook?

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Meg — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:00:35 GMT

Overbrook sounds gorgeous, and Storm Cat looks like such a handsome boy, for only being able to see his beautiful eyes ;)

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

da3hoss — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:21:56 GMT

Does he have any kind of companion around? Like goats, dogs, chickens? Why so isolated?

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Karen M. Johnson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:26:46 GMT

Esther,

I really enjoyed your piece. I felt like I was there!

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Laura — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:45:28 GMT

Great story...Overbrook sounds like a beautiful slice of horse heaven...I hope that it will remain a paradise for equines for a long time--it would be a complete shame if that gorgeous acreage of land ended up as another useless subdivision or shopping center! Love your close-up photo of Storm Cat.

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

Karen in Indiana — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:25:11 GMT

I had to laugh when I read your account of getting lost. Wonderful adventures can be found that way - I got 'lost' once and ended up doing a driving tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright subdivision in Wisconsin. It was great!

There must be some sadness in the air there at the end of an era. Past articles have said that the land will be developed, other than some to take care of horses they are keeping, do you think any of the parcels will end up staying in the horse business?

re: Stormy 'N Me - By Esther Marr

mz — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:04:38 GMT

He must have inherited his "me first" attitude from his grandsire. They say that Northern Dancer thought every truck bringing a mare to the farm was coming to him and let everyone know that fact.

Wishing Storm Cat a long and happy retirement.