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page 2: THE DAVENPORT CONSERVANCY
The Davenport Conservancy
continues as a quiet representative of Davenport owners. It provides a forum
for discussion of Davenport issues. It has an active function in encouraging
and financing publication on the Davenport subject.
In 2003, the Davenport Arabian Conservancy joined the Seauphah Publishing
Association in a supplemental printing of The Annotated Quest. This
should furnish this book for sales for years to come.
In 2004, the Davenport Arabian Horse Conservancy published a companion volume
to The Annotated Quest titled Davenport Arabian Horses, a Collection
of Articles. This was edited and the manuscript prepared for publication
by Jeanne Craver. The book anthologizes from the periodical magazine literature
on the Davenport Arabian horse. Forty-eight titles are given. Some concern
technical aspects of Arabian horse history. Most have to do with individual
horses and how they relate to people and the Davenport horse. Horses cited
are included in an index of c.1200 entries. If you have a Davenport Arabian
horse, chances are many of your horse's ancestors and their pictures can be
looked up in this index.
We do not know of another book on any breed of horses anywhere that gives
such an extensive and informal record of horses and their owners as does this
book. One of its great values is that it gets a major group of informative
articles out of dusty stacks of magazines and into a book where they can be
read conveniently and used for reference purposes. Both The Annotated
Quest and A Collection of Articles can be obtained
from The Davenport Arabian Horse Conservancy: contact Alice Martin, DAHC Treasurer
at alice.martin@mac.com. Cost postpaid
is $30.00 for The Annotated Quest and $35.00 for
A Collection of Articles. Checks should be made out to the Davenport
Conservancy.
If you do not have either book, you had just as well order them both. If you
just want A Collection of Articles, you have a delightful read ahead
as you enjoy the exciting world of Davenport Arabian horses.
In other 2004 activities, the Davenport Arabian Horse Conservancy joined Al
Khamsa, Inc. in sponsoring book-selling booths at The Arabian Horse Celebration
in Denver, August 4–6 and at the Arabian National Horse Show in Louisville,
KY, October 7–16. Book sales were moderate, but there was ample opportunity
to explain to show attendees about Davenport and Al Khamsa Arabian horses.
Further, the booths provided a focus point for people who enjoyed our kinds
of horses to visit with each other, exchange thoughts and contemplate the
fact which had become obvious that we endorse a different kind of Arabian
horse than the Arabian show horse which has given our breed a bad reputation
among other breeds. It is time for us to stand up and be counted, and these
booths provide a way of doing that.
At the Denver Celebration, there was a meeting for Conservancy folk at Elizabeth
Pade's suite in the host hotel, and a longer meeting for the larger group
of Al Khamsa supporters. It had been a good weekend for both organizations.
The new president for Al Khamsa is Rosemary Doyle. She is an old-timer in
the organization and a very active person. She is off to a great start. Should
be an interesting year for Al Khamsa.
DAVENPORT DAYS
2004
Day of Sunshine, day of Horseplay
While the Arabian
Horse Celebration was being held in Denver, Homer Davenport's hometown of
Silverton, Oregon, was holding its annual celebration of "Homer Davenport
Days." This is a big deal with thousands in attendance. It is an honor
that Davenport is remembered in Silverton almost a hundred years after his
death. It is appropriate, too, because he wrote and talked about Silverton
frequently, came back to it now and then while he was alive and finally at
the end when he was buried there.
This year Davenport horses were appropriately present for the festivities.
Carrie Brendle writes:
A small but robust contingent of Davenport Arabians participated in Davenport
Days 2004, the 150th birthday celebration of the town of Silverton, Oregon,
held to honor the cartoonist, journalist and horseman, Homer Davenport. Marching
in the parade, Saurday, August 7, 2004, behind an enthusiastic "bed pan"
brigade and in front of aoooga horns and old fashioned cars dating from the
early 1900s, five Oregon Davenport horses strutted their stuff, demonstrating
cool-under-pressure reactions while simultaneously delighting a crowd gathered
for the annual tradition.
Following a "DAVENPORT ARABIANS" banner carried by Jessica and Kristina
Spackman, Lisa Gould Spackman on SA Apogee led the group, dressed in show-quality
native costume. Apogee stole the hearts of little children who, longing for
candy, tossed by other entries, courageously ran up to Lisa and Apogee for
a quick pet. Faith LD, ridden by Sylvia Dion, impressed the crowd with her
long legs and radiant bay coat. Joanna Spackman rode in the middle on Nuance
CF, a very eager gray mare who Joanna had never ridden previously. Rosa Spackman
and her gelding, Jauhara Krush LD, aka "Joe", played "tag"
with Carrie Brendle and her 3 year old filly, Du Soleil BPA, who worked the
crowd by zig-zagging from side to side, encouraging the crowd to practice
the "light bulb" and "windshield washer" waves and clap
for the descendants of Homer's quest to the Middle East. Without exception,
the horses, experienced and novice, performed magnificently!
The day progressed with two significant presentations of Davenport Arabians.
Held annually at McGee Park in downtown Silverton, visitors were given complete
access to Locket CF, a leggy chestnut mare who patiently rested as kids young
and old crawled around, between, under, over, in front of and behind (yes
behind) her to get a closer look at a "real horse." Common comments
included "Is that really an Arabian?", "What is a Davenport
Arabian?" to "Can I touch her teeth?" Locket was a hit in the
park and next year's event might find her in an authentic Bedouin tent in
the same location!
The second major component of the horses' participation on Saturday was the
presentation of "Homer's Journey" at Geercrest, Homer's childhood
home. Hosted by the Toler family who owns and cares for Geercrest, the presentation
of horses included representatives of a couple of different strains common
to Davenports in an informal demonstration of Parelli methods, led by Zane
and Sue Smith, active west coast Al Khamsa supporters. R.J.Cadranell, sans
his Davenport Arabians, was also on hand to share stories of Davenport Arabians
and Homer Davenport. A full day of riding, working with and talking about
the many wonderful characteristics of the Davenport horse culminated in a
gorgeous sunset as horses and trailers set out for home.
Sunday involved encores at Geercrest with story tellers and live musicians.
Nuance CF and Jauhara Krush LD returned to accompany the historical review
of the town of Silverton and its surroundings. Nuance and Jauhara Krush's
incredible calm dispositions led to an invitation for the two horses to join
the crowd.... literally within the circle of music and stories being shared.
Needless to say, Homer's planned or instinctive selection of ancestors of
these horses was greatly admired by the crowd.
Coordination of the event was led by Erika Toler of Geercrest, who herself
owns a beautiful Davenport filly, Special Me LD. Both Erika and "Special"
were on the front page of the local Silverton newspaper as part of the media
"blitz" preceeding the event. Erika worked with the Silverton Historical
Society as well as local historians to include the Davenport Arabians as a
premiere presentation in the parade and the park, as well as at Geercrest
both Saturday and Sunday. Her efforts this year as well in years past to lead
the involvement of the Davenport Arabians in this affair paid off in huge
grins, big chuckles and happy horses.
... What is crystal clear at Davenport days 2004 was the enthusiasm of the
crowd, many of whom were unfamiliar with horses in general, let alone Arabians
or Davenport Arabians, for the gentle behavior, awesome beauty, and incredible
strength of these horses. We are sure to be invited for 2005! —Carrie
Cabak Brendle
IS THIS IN THE FUTURE?
Jim and Erika
Toler's long-term dream for Geercrest is for it to become a recognized historical
shrine. It was probably Homer Davenport's favorite place in the world, and
touring it one can see why. The house is a sizeable old farm house in perfect
condition. There are lovely porches opening the way to glorious views. This
would be be the best of what the pioneer ethic of Davenport's time could produce.
Our father's house has many mansions. Maybe this is one of them that somehow
dropped from Heaven. A bit of the American dream come real.
What a place for Davenport memorabilia! Carol Lyons was very responsive to
its charm. No custodian—not even an angel—could care for it better
than do the Tolers.