Legendary Combined Driving Champion, Kennebec Count, Memorialized as a Breyer Model

Breyer Animal Creations introduces a new Morgan mold to the Breyer herd as part of its 2005 Spring Collection. Sculpted by renowned equine artist Kathleen Moody, Kennebec Count was the horse Breyer chose to honor with a new sculpture and could not have chosen a worthier candidate.

Kennebec Count was a chestnut stallion with flaxen mane and tail and a reputation to be reckoned with in the discipline of carriage driving. Born in 1970, Count was bred and raised by Margaret Gardiner of Woolwich, Maine and trained by Larry Poulin. Miss Gardiner, a prominent Morgan breeder, served as director of the New England Morgan Horse Association for seven years and 13 years as secretary for the Maine Morgan Horse Club. She also served as director of the American Dressage Institute and United States Equestrian Team.

With trainer Larry Poulin, Kennebec Count competed in competitive trail, carriage driving, and went on to dominate the world of Combined Driving Events in the pairs division with his look-alike son, Kennebec Russel, who, impressively, was also a stallion. Count and Russel earned the title of U.S. National Pairs Champions three times and were selected to compete in the World Combined Driving Competition for the USET.

After many successful years competing throughout the world, Count was retired from competitive driving at the age of 18. He was later used for stud and also competed in dressage with Miss Gardiner. Miss Gardiner last rode him competitively when she was 78. 

At the age of 34, Count passed away, leaving behind his legacy and contributions to the world of driving. Thanks in part to Kennebec Count, the Morgan is a dominant breed in competitive driving today.

For more information on America’s original horse breed, contact the American
Morgan Horse Association Inc.®, 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne, VT 05482;
(802) 985-4944; info@morganhorse.com, or webiste www.morganhorse.com.