"A filly for Jeff"

This is a very touching story that was posted by MLM Arabians, about a foal sired by their stallion, AO Breeze. She was born on April 7, 2012. It was not written by me, but by the owner of the sire. *************************************************** "I wanted to share a little bit about a special Breeze filly that was born on Saturday night- I'm so happy she is here and safe. She's not mine, but I thought others would enjoy her story . While living in Colorado, I stood my boys from local boarding stables. The winters are harsh and riding is tough without a nice indoor arena to work in. I bounced around and tried a few facilities before I found Academy Stables in Lafayette. The barn manager, a gentleman named Jeff Seale, was the first person I met. He was kind and it was clear his primary concern was for the safety and comfort of the horses. He made every accomodation possible for me to have my boys there- and for them to have daily turnout and companionship. At 11pm on Christmas Eve one year, Jeff came out and helped me doctor a wound Cavalier had sustained when he slipped in the private pasture on his way back to his stall, when I started Breeze under saddle he helped me through a couple of rides teaching him a few basic tasks I struggled with, and he even gave Breeze a chance at socialization. During Breeze's stay there, he did over a year of his daily turnout with geldings (25-30 yr old QH geldings)- companionship not many breeding stallions get to experience. But- that's how Jeff was to everyone- protective of his friends, always concerned with horses' well being, totally accomodating and always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone who knew him well had these types of stories to share. He was a good person who formed relationships with every one of the horses at the boarding stables. Jeff had a couple of horses himself- big, Percheron crosses. His favorite was Lila, a big black TWH/Percheron mare who dutifully followed him around the property- halter or no, and went trail riding with him all over the place. She was big and sweet and loveable- and even beautiful in her own way. Jeff talked often about how he had always wanted a foal and he asked if I thought a TWH/Percheron/Arabian would be a good trail riding horse and if I would consider selling him a breeding to one of my boys. After some thought- I decided to give Jeff the breeding- not because I was expecting a national champion, but because I knew the foal would be loved and appreciated in a way not many horses would ever have the opportunity. Jeff promptly insisted on buying my husband and I dinner, reading all the books on breeding he could, and studying the pedigree of Breeze- his choice for the sire of his foal. He had gone so far as to buy a small pop up camper to sleep next to Lila's stall when the foal was born and discussed a full breeding plan with his vet. He promised to keep the little one forever- and his excitement is the kind that I hope all breeders have about their foals. Unfortunately, Jeff passed away suddenly last summer- he was still very young and his death was a total surprise. Lila was a few months in foal and the horses were put up for sale- in a bit of a panic, I offered to buy the mare- and that's when Lila's former owner came forward and offered to take both of Jeff's horses, and raise/keep the foal herself. I was elated another good owner had come forward- and that she was excited about the foal, too. On Saturday night "Easter Lily" (named by the owner's daughter) was born- a healthy bay filly. I was just really delighted that she is here safe, and her owners adore her- but I know that Jeff would have loved to have seen her and shared her with the world. He was a great guy and I think this big filly is a fitting tribute to a good man . I'm sorry he's not here to see her- but I thought you all might enjoy her, even though she is a less-than-traditional cross." [IMG]http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/MaigrayBellivaunce/Morgan%20M%…]