involvement with horses, his thorough enjoyment of them, and his skill in convincing others to share in that enjoyment. The Minnesota Horse Council presented Milton with the “Horseman of the Year” award, the twenty-sixth person to be so honored in the history of the Council. The citation reads, in part: “Mr. Strand has introduced many persons to the enjoyment of horses. His farm has hosted endurance clinics and sleigh days. Many farriers practiced on the horses on his farm as part of their training. He helped with a horse plowing contest and has driven in the Grant County Covered Wagon Train for 11 years. He has given buggy rides for patients at children’s hospitals; he gives carriage rides for wedding processions and has even driven a horse-drawn hearse in a funeral procession. His farm has been the host farm for visiting students from Japan, Russia, and Germany. He has encouraged and helped many individuals to get started in the horse training industry.” Four sons,13 grandchildren, and three step grandchildren, some of whom are showing horses, knew of the days and years of effort leading to the award. “A true ‘horse whisperer,’“ says Virginia of Milton’s accomplishments. Meanwhile, at the Iowa farm, Ed continued to collect *Witez II line breeding stock. He purchased two *Witez II sons, Black Magic (x Nafalla by Alla Amarward), a black, and Rondo (x Nafa by *Raseyn), a bay. When he couldn’t buy, he leased, and brought in the *Witez II son Omega Witez (x Little Bit by *Raseyn), the AHSA High Point Arabian Stallion in 1971 and 1972. “The AHSA awards were Ed’s reason for wanting to breed to Omega Witez,” Vivian recalls. “He was very set on breeding for performance.” Omega Witez’s show record includes three U.S. Top Tens in Native Costume. Two *Witez II daughters were leased — Vanda Witez (x Never Die Nirvana by Rafmirz) and Mona Witez (x Witezana by *Witez II), and they produced foals by Niga, Black Magic, and G-Amigo. Rondo was sold; Black Magic and Omega Witez ended their days in the care of the Strands. This Page: Three of the five stallions at Strands Minnesota Arabians. Top: Grand Jazz (Grand Diamond x Jazzin by HMR Pharod) takes a victory pass with Lewayne Strand. His show record includes two Canadian Top Tens in English Pleasure AAOTR for prior owners and placings in English pleasure (open and amateur) at the MAHA show. Middle: MN Diamond Chip (Grand Diamond x Gee Wiz by G-Amigo) represents Milton’s skillful blending of the Ferzon and *Witez II lines. Right: De Caj Har (Sat-Har x DD Caj Dahl by GeeAnigo), a grandson of Niga and a great grandson of G-Amigo.
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