The history of Raintree... It was 1972, and a long time had passed since Barb Rudicel had sold her childhood horse. Walt Disney was promoting the movie "Justin Morgan Had A Horse", and the star of the movie--the charming and versatile Figure--seemed to combine all the qualities that Barb was looking for in her next horse.
Zephyr's Ebonette
|
Her quest for a Morgan led her to Black Ayr Farm in Danville, Indiana. Husband Max new he was in trouble when instead of coming home with one horse, Barb also purchased "a good deal" on a yearling chestnut colt (because he wasn't black!). The first broodmare was purchased from an ad in The Morgan Horse magazine classifieds, and she came carrying the first foal to be born with the Raintree prefix, Raintree Sparkler.
The first show horse purchased was the yearling, Zephyr's Ebonette, who went on to win three World Championship titles. A few years later, a special colt was born at Raintree who became a great show horse and friend for Barb, Raintree Revelation.
Raintree Replica
|
Produce and Awards... After 40 years of breeding and raising 2-4 foals a year, Raintree Morgans has produced, raised and shown over 50 Grand National and World Champions. These include Zephyr's Ebonette, Raintree Sparkler, Raintree Superette, Raintree Revelry, Raintree Royal, Kickapoo Kracker Jax, Raintree Nomination, Raintree Command, Raintree Replica, Raintree Revelation, Raintree Nightsong Raintree Endeavor, Raintree Valedictorian, Southern Rhythm, Let's Dance, Burkland Sweet Music, Legacy's Desert Rose, Raintree Sam I Am, Raintree Main Attraction, Raintree Celine, Raintree Rebecca, Raintree Reignman, and Raintree Picasso.
The Raintree Morgans aren't the only ones on the farm being recognized for their outstanding achievements. In 1993, Barb was honored by the AMHA as the American Morgan Horse Association WOMAN OF THE YEAR for her devotion and many years of service on behalf of the Morgan horse community. At the 2004 AMHA Convention, Barb was inducted into the AMHA Hall of Fame, a great honor she was flattered to have bestowed upon her. Additionally, Barb received an AMHA Master Certificate Award in 2011 and was inducted into the AMHA Breeders Hall of Fame in 2012. Barb has served the Morgan industry on the Indiana Board of Directors, Indiana Classic Board of Directors, Gold Cup, and since 1987 she has been on the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show Committee and also serves as Chairman of the World Morgan Futurity, as well as being an American Morgan Horse Institute Trustee.
Raintree Revelation
|
Raintree horses have participated in many promotional events including the Hoosier Horse Fair and the Indy 500 Parade, and have even helped represent the Morgan breed by presenting a mare and foal at Equitana.
Disaster strikes... In the severe Winter of 1982, a devastating fire occurred at Raintree. Caused by the collapse of the barn roof, 14 horses lost their lives including World Champions Zephyr's Ebonette, Raintree Superette, many of the broodmares and a lot of promising youngsters. With the help of the Morgan community and the support of her husband, Barb decided to build again.
A new barn was built and new horses arrived. Two of these horses were Royal's Silk 'N Satin, who then produced multi-World Champion Raintree Replica; and Blueberry Pixie Ann, who produced multi-World Champion Sarrono, World Champion Raintree Valedictorian and Sweepstakes Reserve Champion Raintree Endeavor. Raintree was "on the map" again in the Morgan World!
Raintree Celine
|
Raintree today Although Barb has been seen in the show ring many times and is an accomplished driver, her first love is foaling time. Raintree foals are raised to be people oriented, but have the quality to do well in today's show ring.
Barb is now retired from foaling out mares for clients, but does enjoy helping her friend Lyn Estell during foaling time at nearby Meadowmist Morgans.
Max is a busy physician, who checks in at the barn occasionally, loves to hear the mares with the foaling stall monitor next to the bed, and even has been known to take out a stitch or two from an equine. He has never cleaned a stall, but does tolerate his wife's love of horses. Sons Scott and Rob are now grown and gone, but Rob has added two grandsons who are delights. And who knows, they may inherit their grandmother's love of Morgans. The Rudicel grandsons are now 14 and 15 and have discovered other activities besides horses, however, son Scott has a 2-1/2 year old daughter Sophia who is jumping into the equestrian lifestyle with both feet, much to her grandmother's delight.
Austin Rudicel
|
Raintree thanks... Barb would like to express her gratitude to the trainers that have helped her Raintree Morgans become all they could be, whether it be endearing themselves to families, scoring impressively in dressage, accumulating accolades in carriage or making rose-laden victory passes at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Included in this thank you list are Jane Blue, Max Brittingham, Rick Davis, Shelley Butterfield, Bob Hughes, Bob and Judy Whitney, Mike Goebig, Dottie Brittingham, Jenny and Earl McFall, Glen Bouvier, Jim and Fay Lowry, Larry Bolen and of course John and Belle Hufferd. |
