By Karen L. Swanberg

 

       Looking for a way to combine your love of Lippitts and a much needed vacation? Attend the Annual Lippitt Country Show in beautiful, scenic and historic Vermont.

 

      You can visit historic sites of Justin Morgan and his early descendants while traveling the quiet back roads that were home to these mighty and versatile horses. 

 

      During the week, you could take a drive along Route 100 from Southern Vermont to Route 125 through the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest to the scenic Route 7. Stop in Middlebury/Weybridge area to visit the UVM Morgan Farm and stand in the shadow of the majestic statue of Justin Morgan. You can then continue north on Route 7, on you way to the Morgan Horse Museum located at the AMHA headquarters in Shelburne. Next door is the Shelburne Museum, another great educational and historic stop along your travels.

 

        One of my favorite drives is to continue on Route 7 North, heading up along the west side of Lake Champlain to Route 78 cutting ov er to Route 2. You will continue on Route 2, heading south through the islands in the lake, the views are incredible and make a stop at the summer home of the Lippizaner Stallions. This will bring you back onto Route 7. From that point, any direction is a wonderful time and there is so much to see.

      The entire state is full of Morgan Farms from large to small and you can check out the Lippitt directory for member’s farms or the Vermont Morgan Club website for other Morgan Farm listings. Your weekend destination is the Tunbridge Fairgrounds for the Annual Lippitt Country Show. This 2 day event showcases everything that we love about these wonderful horses. The offerings cover every aspect of this great lineage’s versatility. You can learn more about the history during Marilyn Child’s narrations during the class line-ups and the social gatherings let you put a face to the names you have heard or read about.