A Day at Mercer Springs With Smith Lilly

Home of the World's Five-Gaited Grand Champion HE'S THE MAN

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By Kim Karels Clements Mother Nature smiled on us when SaddlebredWeb enjoyed an early March Saturday at historic Mercer Springs Farm, former home to a resort hotel and springs dating back to the 1800's. The “newer” hotel (offering the springs, bowling and lawn tennis) stood on the site until it burned in 1922. The white house on the property was purchased by Smith Lilly’s grandparents in 1954 and currently serves as the staff’s residence. The beautiful setting is surrounded by hills and trees and is an idyllic setting for the royal American Saddlebred bloodlines residing there. Sandy, Smith and Alexandra Lilly (as well as some of their customers) were the perfect hosts as we were provided the opportunity to view horses being

prepared for the 2007 show season. Some of the young horses were being readied for their first shows, while many seasoned contenders, including the 2006 Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion He’s the Man, only recently started back to work after much deserved rest and play. The Lilly’s have a well-oiled operation – currently working 38 horses for owners from 10 states. The Lilly’s are ably assisted by trainer Leslie Tickle (who has worked at Mercer Springs for approximately ten years), as well as a friendly and efficient staff . One has to be impressed by the meticulous care paid to details and cleanliness as each of the four training programs work together like clockwork. In addition to a beautiful environmental setting, Mercer Springs offers attractive and functional indoor facilities.

The spacious indoor arena features footing consisting of shredded rubber mixed with sawdust. It has windows set above the horses’ heads and a high ceiling above. A long line area is divided from the main arena by a partial short wall at one end. The end door leads to the outdoor ring where lessons were given on the sunny day provided. A lane is provided along the side of the arena, and some of the horses really enjoyed the change of getting outside to work on this beautiful spring day. It is clear that the Mercer Springs entries will once again be serious competitors in their respective divisions! We hope you enjoy our pictorial report of our visit to this wonderful facility!

	The Mercer Springs' logo is the gazebo that covers the original springs for the resort.	This house that was once the residence for Smith's grandparents now houses the staff.	The show barn can be viewed from the curved driveway.
A view to the front from the stable parking area.			The small building dates to the Civil War.
Alexandra took advantage of the beautiful day to give lessons in the outdoor ring.	The indoor arena with a footing of shredded rubber and sawdust.	Mercer Springs Farm, LLC 1821 Mercer Springs Farm Road Princeton, WV 24740 Stable 304-384-8800 Sandy 304-384-7339 Smith and Alexandra 304-384-9525 e-mail mercerspringsfarm@suddenlink.net Click here to send an e-mail.

The Faces Behind Mercer Springs Farm Success	Smith Lilly	Smith and Alexandra Lilly
Sandy and Smith Lilly stand before the photo ghallery in the stable office.	Andrea Wolkoff, Eduardo DeLoya, Jose Chavez, Neo DeLoya, Honorio DeLoya, Stacy Hess, Joel Flores, and Leslie Tickle	Smith Lilly and Friend
The Boss (Cowboy)	The Security Guards (Amigo & Taco Grande)	The Boss (Cowboy)

The Beauty and Action of Mercer Springs	Allison & He’s the Man Allison Combs visits WGC He’s the Man who has just gone back to work after a well-deserved period of rest and play.	Brigitte Miller and Maggie Brigitte Miller enjoyed her lesson on Maggie, one of the school horses.
Callaway’s Cinnamon Bay Leslie trains Callaway’s Cinnamon Bay, by Callaway’s the Gipper and out of a Callaway’s Blue Norther mare. This nice four year old is owned by Platinum Stock Farm.	Callaway’s Compatible Marching smartly down the lane, Callaway’s Compatible is a four-year old three-gaited entry by Caramac and out of a Stonewall’s Main Event mare. Platinum Stock Farm owns this fine youngster.	Callaway’s New Day Megan Graham had a good ride on her Five-Gaited Pleasure mount Callaway’s New Day (by Sultan’s Great Day and out of the Yorktown mare Big City Airs). It was hard to tell that he had only been back at work for two weeks after being taken home to play for the winter. Megan and New Day will graduate into the adult division this year.
Cape Grace This striking 3 year old filly is by (SA) Dorian Warriors Song and is owned by Roger and Stephanie McMahon of Cashmere, WA. Her exact show future is still undecided, but she is showing signs of making a fine three-gaited entry.	The Attache Orchid and Leslie Tickle Leslie rode Holly Wilson’s top-notch three-gaited pony, The Attache Orchid, by Attache’s Thunderbolt. She showed the talent that resulted in first place finishes at Lexington Jr. League and in the 14-17 division at the World’s Championship Horse Show in 2006.	Cat's My Daddy
Cheri Hawley and Cat’s My Daddy Cheri Hawley enjoyed getting acquainted with Cat’s My Daddy, her four year old by Catalyst and out of Preferred Silk by Preferred Property. Cheri is looking forward to the day when “Bo” is her amateur show mount.	Cat’s My Daddy Brigitte Miller assists in holding “Bo”. Cheri is all smiles after enjoying her first ride aboard her young mount.	Smith completes Cat’s My Daddy’s training session with some quality outside work.
Fashionista This striking bay three-year-old mare is by CH The King of Highpoint and is owned by Nancy Ann Trent. She is responding well to Smith’s lessons under saddle.	Fort Chiswell’s Spanish Music and Ashley Linkous Ashley Linkous and Fort Chiswell’s Spanish Music enjoy the view of the bright and beautiful day!	Fort Chiswell's Spanish Music Ashley Linkous of Christiansburg, VA, and her new mount “Shaggy” are enjoying getting to know each other in preparation for showing in the Three Gaited Pleasure division. “Shaggy” is a five-year-old by the Harlem Town son Kalarama’s Spanish Dancer and out of a Mountain Highland Memories mare.
Fort Chiswell’s Spanish Music and Ashley Linkous	Ashley Linkous supporters Ahsley Linkous had her support group with her for her ride on her new mount. Pictured watching her ride are Todd Linkous and Steve Bernstein.	Ashley Linkouse supporters Chelista Linkous was also in attendance for Ashley’s ride, along with Carolyn Maddy-Bernstein.
Hannah Knapp and Maggy London Hannah Knapp was deservedly pleased after having a very successful ride on Maggy London, a six year old by Designed. Maggie and “GG” will debut in the 10 and under classes this year, and Hannah’s sister Emily hopes to be showing soon as well.	Heads Will Turn and Leslie Leslie drove Heads Will Turn, owned by Barby and Matt Thornton of Taylors, SC. This striking four year old is by Catalyst and out of a mare by Sultan’s Santana.	Holy Hannah and Brigitte Miller After riding the beloved school horse, Maggie, Brigitte Miller took a turn on her husband Antonius’ five-gaited pleasure mount Holy Hannah by Caramac. Both Antonius and Brigitte are busy doctors from Winston Salem, NC, specializing in oncology and find their American Saddlebreds to be the perfect stress relievers. While Brigitte’s husband and her daughter, Stephanie, have show mounts, Brigitte has stuck with stable riding (and grooming the school horses) - at least to date.
Little Lord Huntley Even this early in the spring, Little Lord Huntley shows the form that makes the judges’ take notice!	Little Lord Huntley and Andrea Wolkoff Andrea Wolkoff of Bluefield, VA, and her winning five-gaited pony Little Lord Huntley (“Bentley”) are gearing up for another successful season!	Andrea and Little Lord Huntley Andrea felt good about her first outside ride on her little champion this season! They are looking forward to hitting the in gate in Raleigh.
Megan Graham Megan Graham was all smiles about her ride aboard Watch Out Now.	The Millers and Maggie Mother and daughter team - Brigitte and Stephanie Miller - gladly take on the task of keeping school horse Maggie groomed to perfection!	Ms. Donna Karan Sandy Lilly is very enthused about the future for her Ms. Donna Karan, a talented three-year-old bay by Designed and out of Talk Talk by Talent Town. Smith has her learning her new gaits and looking through the bridle.
Natalie Cole and Synnova Hayes Natalie Cole and Synnova Hayes (Alexandra’s mother) make a beautiful picture as they stop to enjoy the view. This gorgeous five-year-old black mare is taking to her western training and should be a “force to reckon with” this season.	Our Gentleman Jack and Andrea Wolkoff Andrea had a lovely ride aboard Sandy Lilly’s three-year-old, Our Gentleman Jack. He is by Our Charm and out of a CH The King of Highpoint mare and has learned to look through the bridle and lift his legs as he goes down the lane.	Petrouchka and Stephanie Miller Stephanie Miller enjoyed the opportunity to ride Petrouchka, owned by Lisa McKenzie of Flat Top, WV. The five-year-old gelding by Nureyev was cocky, yet consistent, as he trotted down the lane.
Really Worth It and Sandy Lilly Sandy had the Reserve World’s Champion Country Pleasure Driving entry (by For What It’s Worth and out of a Lord O’Shea dam) jogging beautifully in preparation for the 2007 show season with owner Anita Simpson of Monroe, NC.	Stacy Hess Stacy Hess takes pride in the quality horses she cares for.	Stephanie Miller and Thomas Edison Stephanie Miller thoroughly enjoys her rides on Thomas Edison - from start to finish!
Summit Up and Alexandra Lilly Summit Up smoothly transitioned through his gaits, including the slow gait, with Alexandra at the lines. "Murphy" is owned by Allison Combs and will be shown by her in Five-Gaited Pleasure in the coming season.	Thomas Edison and Stephanie Miller Stephanie is looking forward to showing her striking five-year-old gelding by Attache’s Royal Assets in the juvenile pleasure division this season.	Watch Out Now and Megan Graham Megan had Watch Out Now showing his talent in the arena as well as outside.
Watch Out Now and Megan Graham Watch Out Now is a four-year-old five-gaited entry bred by Sue Nifong and owned by Steve Green of Winston-Salem, NC. He is by The Irish Connection and out of a Nureyev mare and has been gathering blue ribbons since he was a yearling. In 2006 he claimed firsts in the UPHA five gaited class at the North Carolina State Championship and the three-year-old under saddle class at the West Virginia Futurity.	Watch Out Now What a head set!	You Move Me You Move Me, by My Magical Moment and out of Really Special by American Spirit, had an easy day in long lines. His owner, Michelle Ducworth, had been out to ride him the day before. The beautiful You Move Me had a successful 2006 season, winning at Roanoke Valley and earning seconds at Bonnie Blue and ASHAV in Three-Gaited Open classes with Smith up.

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