Marney's Memorial at Kentucky Horse Park

Have you ever been at BreyerFest and heard people talking about "finding Marney's stone?" 

Guest blogger and author Nancy Kelly spent some time last week doing some research while at BreyerFest and got some photos that will answer that question. Here's what she has to say.

Of the four founding pillars of the model horse hobby (Ellen Hitchins, Simone Smiljanic, Linda Walter, and Marney Walerius) Marney was the one closest associated with Breyer. She served as a consultant to the Chicago company, providing valuable feedback to improve their products. 

She also hosted the Model Horse Congress, an epic live show for years, judged at other shows, produced a newsletter, and did so much to advance the hobby. 

Marney judging at her Model Horse Congress.

When she died in 1992 a memorial plaque was purchased and placed under a tree at the Kentucky Horse Park, the site of BreyerFest. 

Unfortunately, over the years the plaque suffered damage due to being hit by mowers, moved to new locations, and weather. 

Full view of the tree that stands above Marney's marker.

Her friend Kathy Wells started a fund-raising campaign to purchase a permanent indoor plaque. After a few years it became a reality. 

The park had built a new barn, the Miller Barn, which housed a board that displayed such memorials.

I wanted to find both plaques while at BreyerFest this year. I remembered the location of the outdoor plaque and was able to take a photograph. It is in even worse condition now, but still readable. 

I then set off to find the Miller Barn but no one on the grounds knew where it was. I finally found an employee who knew that the Miller Barn is way over by the Altec Arena, so I hopped in my car and found it! 

When I finally stood in front of the board to take the photo a feeling of peace came over me for a moment. Kathy Wells said, “That would be Marney communicating.”

Thanks, Nancy for sharing. Now I hope you can answer a question that I have.

Wasn't there another stone for Marney? I have this photo in my files. Do you know its story?

Hopefully Nancy can tell us more.

Stay 'tooned!