page 1 of Our story

Our story began by reading a simple article, about twelve years ago. Little did I realize then the impact that long ago article would have on the rest of our lives. The article was about the plight of the Orlov Trotter, after the fall of the Soviet regime. The economic circumstances were so dire that many of the previously state run stud farms had no money to pay for feed or staff. Many of the world's finest horses were starving to death, or were in turn being used to feed the starving population.

This remarkable breed was the vision of Count Orlov, who over 200 years ago wanted a horse of size and refinement. They needed amazing stamina and endurance to pull carriages across long distances over terrible terrain in often bitter weather. They had to be thrifty, able to survive on what the Russian countryside could provide and posses incredibly willing temperments.

I remember thinking how terrible it was that this marvelous breed should disappear and wished there was something we could do. But we lived a world away, our two Arabs were boarded outside the city, and we had few financial reserves. With no contact information in the article and feeling there wasn't anything we could do...we let the subject go. But it had made a profound impression on me.

Fast foward to 2001 and the Spruce Meadows Masters (Calgary, Alberta) and the Breed Showcase. I had recently professed an interest in learning to carriage drive. My little Arab was getting old and I felt driving could be a way of continuing to use him without the stress on his back from a rider. Using Doris Ganton's book on teaching your horse to drive, and with the help of our carriage building friends, my husband Lyle built a cross-country cart. That year our friends had a booth at the Spruce Meadows Equine Fair, but had sold all their carriages and had nothing to exhibit. They asked if we wouldn't mind using ours as a prototype and we gladly helped in to help man the booth. Doris Ganton herself stopped at the booth to inquire after the cross-country cart. As it was a near replica of the one in her book she had many people looking for them. Conversation ensued, and we learned that she had two purebred Orlov geldings, one of which was for sale! She had imported three geldings in the 80's for her competition carriage driving and still had two. But since she had retired she was interested in selling one and keeping the last to pleasure drive. (She was still driving Zybkii about 30km a day over challenging terrain at speed and he was 22 years old!) She was suprised I knew what an Orlov was (thanks to that long ago article)since they are virtually unknown in North America. Were we interested in coming out so see them?

We were not looking for another horse and boarding was expensive. But we could not pass up an opportunity to see one of the world's rarest horses.