Alternative Assets
Signed, sealed, delivered.
The statue of Figure, the founding stallion of the Morgan horse breed, has overlooked the UVM Morgan Farm since 1921. Behind it stands the striking barn built in 1878 by the Farm’s founder, Colonel Joseph Battell. Photos by Rowan Elleman ’16, 2021.
Alternative Assets
The statue of Figure, the founding stallion of the Morgan horse breed, has overlooked the UVM Morgan Farm since 1921. Behind it stands the striking barn built in 1878 by the Farm’s founder, Colonel Joseph Battell. Photos by Rowan Elleman ’16, 2021.
Signed, sealed, delivered.
“My returning Stella to her roots at UVM was organic and gave me great hope that the Farm would remain a relevant player in the Morgan breed’s future. I believe in the way the University and the Farm work together synergistically to encourage the next generation. The impact the farm made on me from my youth is still very much alive today.” Kim Cramer
Kim Cramer’s daughter, Sophie Germ, drives “Stella” before the champion mare’s donation to the Farm. Photo by Howard Schatzberg.
Kim Cramer has been involved with Morgan horses since she was seven years old and spent many summers in Vermont as a teen heavily involved in “all things Morgan.” During that time, she had a memorable visit to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge. The Farm’s beautiful historic barn and pastoral grounds are home to over 40 horses that are the heart of the oldest continuous Morgan horse breeding program in the world. (Which is fitting, considering the breed’s historic connection to Vermont.)
As an adult, Cramer came to deeply appreciate the Farm (part of the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) as a sophisticated agricultural and educational enterprise that not only advances the strength and quality of the Morgan breed, but also trains the next generation of leaders in the field (both two- and four-legged). So, when she found herself in a position to support the Farm, she was eager to do so—both with financial contributions and gifts-in-kind.
Here is where we meet the vibrant and magnetic Signed Sealed Delivered (a.k.a. “Stella”). Stella was one of Cramer’s beloved (and gorgeous) mares—an eager, multi-titled grand national and world champion and remarkable descendant of UVM breeding who was destined to make a difference in the world of Morgans. And that is exactly what Stella’s done.
By donating Stella to UVM, Cramer contributed an important broodmare who brought valuable genetic diversity and who foaled one of the Farm’s current breeding stallions (UVM Willoughby), as well as two wonderful fillies. Stella sadly passed away in 2017, but she—and Cramer—have left a lasting legacy that will be appreciated and loved for generations to come.
UVM Morgan Horse Farm: Living History
Farm Manager Kimberly Demars rides the stallion UVM Willoughby, one of three of Stella's offspring..
Mares UVM Xena and UVM Yeshaina, the other two offspring of Stella are tended by Farm interns Izzy Lardner ’20 and Carleigh Brizendine.
Stallion UVM Willoughby and Farm Manager Kimberly Demars.
Do you have collections, real estate, or other non-monetary assets that you would consider donating to the University of Vermont? Please email impact@uvm.edu or call 1-888-458-8691 to start a conversation.