A Tribute to Linday Mehney

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We lost one of our finest ladies in April, 2020 — Linda Mehney, an astute breeder for many years at her Grand Arabian Farm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Linda reminded us every day of the Arabian’s value as a family horse, as well as a show horse. We shall miss her for her wisdom, her belief in the Arabian breed, and her great joy in being a part of the Arabian horse community.

Some of Linda’s qualities as an Arabian breeder and family member served her equally well as a world traveler. In October 2008, Linda joined our all-girl, five-member, fun/exploration/learning group on a jaunt to Italy. We started our adventuring in Florence, Italy, where we gaped at the usual tourist must-sees: Michelangelo’s “David,” the magnificent Duomo, the wonders of the Uffizi Gallery, then on to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sienna’s race site, and Harry’s Bar in Venice. Through all these adventures, Linda added a few off-the-path items and we counted on her to find the authentic, non-touristy restaurants as well as wonders not listed in the travel guides. Later came the highlight: being with Linda in Poland for the annual Polish National Arabian Show, the auction, and the races. Here Linda was the scholar, learning from each class, each race, each sale — savoring facts she could combine with the guidelines of her highly successful Arabian breeding program at home. Wherever, whenever, Linda was always of good cheer, the model traveler, and ideal friend.

Mary Jane Parkinson Linda’s family and friends have provided a collection of memories of Linda, and they are a part of this tribute to Linda.

Here are some of their thoughts. All are appreciative of her and her values.

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Carrie Mehney,

Daughter-in-law

Growing up I had one especially vivid memory of horses. I had gone to a summer “Frontier camp” because the normal summer camp was full. I am allergic to horses, had never ridden and, in truth, was pretty afraid of them.

I was assigned to a horse named “Smokey,” and Smokey was a horrible horse. He had to be in the very back of the trail rides because he would kick all the other horses. Well, needless to say, I was involved in many of the “kicking incidents” over the course of a week. It was the longest summer camp experience of my life. From that time on, I turned away from anything horse related...until I met my future husband and his family.

Keeping my distance, I actually enjoyed watching Linda and her gorgeous horses. I was always in awe of her confidence and passion that she had around her Arabians. As long as I was at a distance, I could appreciate their beauty and power. And then she told us (all 30 of us) that the Christmas card picture was going to be at the barn with some of the horses. Certainly I wouldn’t be asked to “handle” a horse, right?

When we arrived, we were all quickly positioned for the family photo. My four kids were popped onto horses and Davey and I were in charge of holding the horses during the photo. I felt like I was being thrown right back into frontier camp! But, if Linda wanted this picture, I was going to hold the darn horse! My sister-in-law’s horse started going crazy, my horse started getting restless, and I thought we’d all be trampled. But, as I was starting to panic, I couldn’t help but notice that none of the Mehney boys were phased by the craziness! Somehow the family picture was taken (and looked peaceful). I gained a whole new level of respect for Linda. She raised five boys, countless horses, and was afraid of very little.

I love the simple “go do it” attitude she had in life. She was an amazing mother-in-law, and I will always be grateful for the lessons that she gave to so many people around her. She will forever be carried in our hearts...

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Jaclyn Mehney,

Daughter-in-law

My mother-in-law was awesome. Linda was the most inviting and welcoming woman. It didn’t matter who you were or where you were from, Linda made you feel important and that you mattered.

I am greatly thankful for the time my family spent with Linda. Jim, my three children, and I were very close to her.

She tried to come to as many of my children’s sports games and choir concerts as she could. She set my kids up with horseback riding lessons and loved watching my kids ride at her farm. She loved each of them and saw their unique gifts that made them each “so special and neat” as Linda would always say. She was such a present Grandma in our lives. We are all going to miss Linda’s warm welcome, her friendship, the long talks, the tears, the laughs and the hugs. Linda was a unique and beautiful soul who genuinely found great joy in other people’s happiness.

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Brooke Mehney,

Daughter-in-law

When I joined the Mehney family, it was nothing like I expected!

My mother-in-law was quite a character. I learned that she delivered her children to grade school on the back of a motorcycle.

When her children had show-and-tell at school, she actually brought in a calf in the back of her station wagon! She always lived life to the fullest, and she always knew how to be a show stopper — I mean, how many people have a family duck as a dear pet? Dave, her husband of over fifty years, volunteered as ninth-grade football coach. Linda was always in the stands to cheer him on. She seldom missed any of her children’s or her treasured grandchildren’s games. It didn’t matter if it was raining or snowing, she was always there.

Danny and I had only been married a short time when I was informed that there would be a family Christmas card photo shoot. Every year, Linda would organize an impressive Christmas card photo with over thirty family members and their pets! Having a photo with thirty people is an accomplishment in itself, but this year, Linda decided we would have several of us on horseback. Now, this was a great idea, except for the fact that some family members were severely allergic, some were just plain terrified and not one of the wives was a rider! Personally, I have not been on a horse since I was eight years old. Even then, I was led around by some volunteer at a fair who was holding a lead. As a matter of fact, it may have even been a Donkey I was riding, that is how much I know about horses. Suddenly, Linda instructed me to get on the back of a horse for the photo. She had no doubt about what she wanted me to do, so I did what I was told! I was helped atop of this big, beautiful white horse so quickly, I didn’t even have time to protest or explain to anyone that I had never ridden a horse before and I had no clue how to handle the animal. Danny, my husband, happened to be on the horse next to me, which was comforting. Danny reached for my hand to pull our horses closer together for the picture, when suddenly, my horse decided to leave the pasture and approached the gate. I was in shock and tried to get the horse back under control the best I knew how, when Linda said, “Brooke stop messing around and get the horse back here for the photo.” Tom, Dan’s brother, walked over, grabbed the reins to help.

I sadly realized I did not have a natural gift for horses and I was not a horse whisperer. While all of this was happening, my husband was riding his horse around, like he was a rodeo star, without a care in the world.

It is memories like this that I will always hold dear. While I love and respect Linda’s love for elaborate Christmas photos and horses, I will be satisfied with a boring photo in front of a barn, and I will stick to feeding horses carrots. At the end of the day, Linda got her Christmas picture. It reflects the most important things in her life — her family and her horses. We miss her every day.

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JoyHatten,

Farm Manager

When I came to Grand Arabian 33 years ago, I told Linda I hoped it would be my last stop. Never did I dream I would be part of one of the most successful Arabian farms ever. When I started, I lived in the Mehney home, enjoying holidays as part of Linda’s family. Later I moved to a house right next to the barn.

As we grew, Linda welcomed our customers into the Grand Arabian family. When Padrons Mahogany’s stunningly beautiful mares were old enough, Linda became an expert at marketing Mahogany and Grand Arabian Farm. We were breeding her mares and shipping cooled semen every other day. As the Mahogany mares were ready to be bred, Linda began her search for the perfect stallion for them. She went all the way to Winnipeg, Canada for the big-eyed, athletic, charismatic Minotaur. She partnered with Roger Belton (Minotaur’s owner) and we were off. The combination of Padrons Mahogany mares and Minotaur produced Regional, National, and Scottsdale winners. With the marketing genius of Linda and Roger, it was challenging to keep up; but so much fun.

Once we were unloading Padrons Mahogany at a show and a crowd had gathered to a look at him.

Someone said, “You must have the Babe Ruth of Arabians with so many people waiting for him.”

That’s is how both Linda and I felt. Linda bred for the big soft eye, great disposition, laid back shoulder, and balanced body (a third, a third, a third). Linda’s breeding program produced offspring that new owners loved to brag about. Not only were they beautiful specimens of the Arabian breed but their sweet loving disposition made them special. The relationship with Grand Arabian foals was so special. They were easy to train and affectionate, besides being smart, beautiful, and athletic. How lucky for me to be able to take care of these horses; they were like my family. Every day, as I walked across the lawn, the horses would greet me with a nicker and it filled my heart. Only people with “horse fever” will understand. Linda and I had a big dose of it.

Going to shows with Linda was exhausting (she had endless energy) and more exciting than I could have ever anticipated. We were at the show grounds before daybreak and still going strong at midnight. Linda was a sponge for knowledge. She would seek out people she admired and ask questions without being intrusive. Later the table turned and people would jockey for seats near her to hear what she was thinking. She had one of the most educated and insightful eyes in the industry. Linda would arrive at the barn with a smile, asking each of us how we were doing. We knew she really cared about us.

Joy Hatten riding and driving Padrons Mahogany (*Padron x Hal Ane Versare) and Annie the dog.

It was a dream come true for me; she was my friend, employer, and mentor. Linda trusted me with her barn. She knew I loved and treated the horses as if they were my own. We made a very good partnership. It was a pleasure to work for and with her because we kept the highest standards of care. Linda paid for me to take classes at Colorado State for AI. Side by side we would examine the collection. We provided both cooled and frozen semen. Dr. Nancy Cook would come in and teach us the most up-todate processes. We shipped to the U.S., Canada, South America, and Europe.

There was not a job related to horses Linda would not do. One 4th of July, Dave and Linda were hosting a party at their summer cottage.

Crystal, one of our favorites, a Gainey-bred mare, was streaming milk and ready to go. I called her. It is half-hour drive from the cottage to the barn; she made it in 20 minutes, all dressed up, but she rolled up her sleeves, and we delivered a beautiful foal. Of course, her designer clothes were ruined. She cleaned stalls, groomed, gave baths, collected the stallions, and prepared the semen shipments.

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THE ORIGINAL FOUNDATION MARES OF GRAND ARABIAN FARM G-Amaka (G-Amigo x Bint Aka), Hal G Melody (Hal Gazal x G-Amaka), Hal Ane Versare (Hal Thats Amore x G-Amaka) and Hal Mio Mi (Hal Thats Amore x Hal G-Wisz).

LATER SUCCEEDED by WN Mahogany Lady (Padrons Mahogany x WN Paloma), GA GWisz Mahogany (Padrons Mahogany x Hal G-Wisz), GA Bey Aneversare (Bey Shah x Hal Ane Versare) and GA Mi Grandlady (Minotaur x Padrons Mahogany).

The Grand Arabian horses were very versatile. We had Canadian National Western Pleasure AOTR (Michal T Mahogany) and Canadian National Reserve Western Pleasure AOTR (KB Brigadier) in the same year, English Pleasure Champion (Padrons Mahogany), Scottsdale Champion, U.S. and Canadian National Futurity Champion (GA Hal Psyche), and Hal Ane Versare was an Arabian Horse World Aristocrat mare.

Linda did not go with the trends. Linda studied the pedigrees, studied her horses, went to the shows, and studied every class to determine the best matches. She knew her mares and knew her stallions and knew how to improve the lines with the right sires and mares to improve her next generations. The Arabian world is better because of her. Grand Arabians had huge numbers of winners in every category.

Last year, Linda, who was 78 years old (nobody would believe that because of her energy), was thinking this would be her last foaling season. She researched which of her mares to breed and who would be the perfect match for them. She would have been so proud of the three 2020 foals.

Wait till you see them! They are incredible.

Linda nurtured the small breeders. She loved to be a resource for them. She didn’t care if they were buying one or ten horses, they got the same amount of attention from her.

THE VERSATILITY OF THE GRAND ARABIAN HORSES (top to bottom) Padrons Mahogany (*Padron x Hal Ane Versare) ridden by Bob Battaglia, GA Gwisz Brilliante (MPA Giovanni x GA Gwisz Mahogany) ridden by Bob Hart, GA Grand Odysseous ( Odyssey SC x GA Mi Grandlady) shown by Keith Krichke, and Gwisz Capalina (DA Valentino x GA Gwisz Mahogany) with GA Capies Commandd by Grand Commannd by her side.

One time, we had just successfully assisted the delivery of a colt. Then the mare delivered what we thought was the afterbirth, but it was moving. It was a tiny perfectly formed filly. The colt first and then the filly. The tiny filly was full of personality. Cute as could be, but so naughty. She insisted on getting the milk first and getting all the attention. We loved her.

Going to Canada for the Canadian Nationals, I was sleeping in the back seat. I woke up to see Linda holding a cold soda can to the back of her neck to stay awake. We were so tired when we came up to border, we didn’t see the line, so we blew the border and had to go back (lucky for us the border patrol were nice to us).

Another time Linda was searching for the perfect place for a photo shoot. She found this large field full of waist high yellow flowers. Perfect!

We took the GA Padrons Sun into the field and set Judith (the photographer) up on a ladder for the perfect picture. Suddenly someone yelled “Bees!” and we were hustling to get out of there. We got Sun and ourselves out of there in the nick of time and laughed about it for years.

We feel Linda’s presence still at the barn, watching and encouraging us in this difficult time. Last November Linda brought a three-foot angel made of horse shoes. She was very determined it be hung right by the front door. Now, each time we come in we feel her presence.

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Roger Bolton,

Minotaur Partner

If you were lucky enough to know Linda Mehney, one thing quickly became obvious: you would never meet anyone else quite like her!

My lucky time came in 1995, when I placed an ad for my then nine-year-old Arabian stallion, Minotaur (*Menes x Amurath Selari). He had been a very successful breeding stallion in Canada, and I wanted to see how much interest there was in him south of the border. Linda was one of the first to call and ask to come to see him in person. I had no idea who she was other than her ownership of Padrons Mahogany (*Padron x Hal Ane Versare), but I was impressed the minute I met her at the airport in Winnipeg. “Let’s go see some horses!” was her command, and that we did, as I toured her around our province, introducing her to a wide variety of Minotaur get and, of course, Minotaur himself!

Disposition was important to her. She was impressed after seeing Minotaur blow fire while free longing, then transform immediately when I threw a saddle on him and rode him quietly around the same arena. Linda had just been in Europe and had visited his sire, *Menes, along with the two main sons of *Menes there, Balaton and Kubinec.

Linda told me she thought Minotaur was superior to all of them and wanted to “do something.” We often laughed afterward about my response to her, “The kids aren’t for sale, my dog’s not for sale, and the horse is not for sale!” “Well, what can we do?” she asked. I proposed a partnership, where I maintained key ownership in Minotaur and, for a very nominal sum, she became the managing partner. Any revenue over management Minotaur (*Menes RASB x Amurath Selari). expenses would be split. She discussed it with her husband, Dave, who, after seeing the one-page contract I drafted, exclaimed that I had looked after their interests even more than my own. The caveat was that I had a veto on major decisions and, if I felt it wasn’t working for Minotaur, I could return their small investment, put him in my trailer and take him home. That day never came and Minotaur lived a life few stallions would ever experience at Grand Arabian Farm, with me having unlimited visiting rights, much to the delight of both Minotaur and me!

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THE FOUNDATION HORSES OF GRAND ARABIAN FARM Left: Hal Ane Versare (Hal Thats Amore x G-Amaka).

Center: Minotaur with Linda Mehney, Roger Bolton, David Boggs, Joy Hatten and Roger’s daughters.

Right: Padrons Mahogany (*Padron x Hal Ane Versare).

I purchased several Mahogany daughters and crossed them with Minotaur, and Linda bred Mahogany to Minotaur daughters for our own, in-house ‘golden cross.’ We shared patrons’ passes at major shows, but Scottsdale was the best time. There I sat with Linda’s group watching her accurately picking the winners in the classes. My daughters visited in Grand Rapids and Palm Beach, and were awed by this dynamic woman who embraced life with a rare sense of energy and fun. Speeding across Gun Lake with Linda at the wheel, my girls can still hear her laughing, “Do you want to go faster, girls?”

For 25 years I had the immense pleasure of walking under her halo! She introduced me, my family, and my friends to an aspect of the Arabian horse community few get to see. Even after Minotaur’s death, we spoke regularly on the phone; I would smile whenever I saw the 616 area code come up on my phone. In that entire time, Linda and I never had a single disagreement! We call it a “horse business,” but it’s really a people business, with the horses and our love of them connecting us. Linda was always much more interested in personal worth than net worth, and that interest in finding a common ground with the people she met shined throughout my experiences with her. I will always remember her as a truly special person, who I was proud to call my friend.

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David Boggs,

Midwest Station

It is with love in our hearts for all of you, and on behalf of the Boggs families and Midwest, I say thank you for so many wonderful memories with your precious Linda.

Personally, I admired her strong and joyful passion she had for the breeding of Arabian horses. She was an astute student in the early days to the Halberg’s and our parents Don and Shorty Boggs and they too loved her dearly. I remember my annual flights into Grand Rapids and to Grand Arabian Farm and Linda’s smile awaiting my arrival at the airport, the countless hours of “horse talk” and planning horses to show and her brilliant marketing strategy.

Linda’s eye was that of the best connoisseurs of the Arabian horse and she grew into an ambassador for our breed. Beginning with the legends Padrons Mahogany to GA Hal Psyche and on to all the other magnificent horses that Linda created.

GA Hal Psyche (Padrons Psyche x Hal Ane Versare) Linda Mehney and David Boggs.

She has left a legacy that will remain forever in the hearts of breeders and embedded in the bloodlines of countless champion horses. With great love and admiration, May God Bless you all.

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Keith & Maureen Krichke,

Krichke Training Center

Our friendship with Linda started early in our training career as Krichke Training Center. Keith showed and promoted her beautiful stallion Minotaur back in the ‘90s. We formed a lasting friendship and had the honor of showing many of her horses to national wins and even shared in a few partnerships with some very special horses as well. She knew what she loved in a horse and she took great pride in her breeding program and each individual she produced. The horses at Grand Arabians were always cared for and loved at the highest level. When we would visit Linda at Grand Arabian Farms we had many great conversations regarding Arabian horses, kids and life.

Linda was a great mentor to so many people and loved her kids and grandkids more than anything else in the world. We are so glad to have called her a great friend for so many years and to share so many great memories with her and her family along with her cherished horses. We will miss her greatly.

Dixie & Robert North,

North Arabians

Keith Krichke and Minotaur (*Menes RASB x Amurath Selari).

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Robert and I bought the stallion Grand Commandd from Linda in 2012. He is a magnificent culmination of Linda’s breeding program over the last 30 plus years. It was the start of a lovely friendship with a woman passionate about her horses and her breeding program. Over the next years, we always visited at the Scottsdale and Vegas shows, as well as her farm, where we met Joy, her farm manager. Linda was always so involved in her family and her horses. She was a very kind and loving person.

In 2019, Linda bought a Grand Commandd colt from us out of an Ever After daughter. He was a black bay and very much resembled her beloved Padrons Mahogany, who was the foundation of her breeding program. Linda was very excited about him and took him to the Vegas show as a yearling, where he was named Champion Yearling Colt and Junior Champion Colt. Ron and Laura Armstrong’s Grand Commandd colt was Reserve Junior Colt that same year.

Linda was so thrilled for everyone! A great show for her breeding program.

We all went to dinner and celebrated. We will miss her so very much.

Top: GA Mi GrandLady (Minotaur+ x WN Mahogany Lady by Padrons Mahogany) with Grand Commandd (Beijing BHF x GA Mi GrandLady) as a foal; Center: Grand Prix NA (Grand Commandd x Evelyn C) bred by Robert & Dixie North; Right: Dave & Linda Mehney and Grand Prix NA, 2019 ABHA Champion Legacy Colt, & Gold Supreme Champion AWC Stallion/Colt/Gelding ATH shown by Jordan Simons, with Reserve Champion, The General LRA (Grand Commandd x Justtina) bred & owned by Ron & Laura Armstrong.

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Kris Keech,

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Employee

For twenty-six years I have worked for Linda at Grand Arabians. I am so grateful for the opportunity she gave me all those years ago. I can hardly believe she is not going to come smiling in the barn — even now, months since we lost her. When I started working at Grand Arabian Farm, I was attending the University of Findlay and majoring in Equestrian Studies. I was able to do an internship at the farm over the summer. Linda had my resume, we had talked on the phone, and we were trying to set up a time to meet. While this was going on, Linda called and asked if I could start THAT day (one of her employees had a family emergency). I told her I didn’t have access to a car that day, so she asked where I lived, gave me just enough time to get ready, and she was there to pick me up. And that’s how I became a member of the Grand Arabian Family.

Throughout the years, I was always learning from her. Her knowledge about all that was “horse” — health, breeding, foaling, illness, attitude, and relationships with other horses. She was always attending seminars, reading about equestrian health, talking to other horse people and then passing on her new knowledge to us. We always had the best of everything (tools, grooming supplies, food, everything). Sometimes she would drop off soup or chili or other treats for us. She always made sure to have carrots for the grandkids to feed the horses.

Cindy Angus with GA GWisz Mahogany, Linda Mehney with GA Grand Odysseous and Kris Keech with GAMaster Mahogany.

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We were not neglected when she was in Florida. She would call every couple days asking about us and how we were doing, and would check in on her horses who she knew she could entrust to our care. I will miss those calls this winter. We were more than just employees to her. She never forgot our birthdays, she was always taking us to dinner, or to entertainment on the lake; we always felt that we were special to her. Linda was a lot more than just my employer…she was a friend, someone I could always talk to about anything.

Pam McMaster,

Sister

Linda is described as a train, and all of us who were close to her leaped aboard for the amazing ride. I am her sister, and I, along with at least five others, considered her my best friend. She had the gift of always making you feel like YOU were her best friend.

I am five years younger, but Linda was a kind, older sister who allowed me to tag along on her adventures, and I loved it. I went with her to several horse shows, sometimes sleeping in the car so we could be close to her horses, and sometimes staying in the best hotels.

Hooting and yelling from the sidelines at her wins. Each time it was breathtaking, nail biting, and so much fun.

Sitting in a comfortable chair in her barn office all night (sometimes several nights in a row), wrapped up in blankets, laughing at ourselves as we watched the foal monitor at every tail swish waiting for the very pregnant mare to deliver. When the mare finally went into labor, Linda would call her barn manager, Joy, to help, and they would deliver the foal. Sometimes I was needed to help. People who saw Linda so pretty without a hair out of place, nails perfectly manicured, and so fashionably dressed, may not be able to picture her with her arm inside a mare to turn a foal so it can be delivered, but that, too, was her.

We lived next door to each other in the summer. Both us early risers, I would step out on my deck and my phone would ring. It was Linda saying, ”What are you doing? Want to go to breakfast in 15 minutes?” We would go to breakfast, make plans for some kind of adventure for her five boys and my two boys and one girl. We would wake everyone up, and off we go to the sand dunes, Mackinaw Island, Lake Michigan, etc. I would not have so many wonderful adventures without her. I will miss her tremendously; but I was very lucky to have her for 74 years and so many incredible memories.

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Sharing one of those amazing ‘train rides’ with Linda, Joy Hatten and Cookie Seletic after our annual photo shoot. Linda always made sure that I scheduled in an extra day or two to play or relax when I visited her farm, whether it be relaxing at the lake, horse back riding or exploring Michigan together. This particular year she took to us all to Mackinaw Island with stops all along the way up and back. Linda was the master at finding THE BEST food! We were instant friends the first time I came to her farm. She was so warm and welcoming, and genuine. It didn’t take long before we could talk about anything. An incredible woman, mother, grandmother and dear friend whom I miss dearly.

Suzanne Sturgill, Photographer

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Hal Schott,

DVM, Michigan State University

For more than 20 years I worked with Linda in caring for many of her horses. Her professionalism was a hallmark of her program, as was her ability to make wise decisions for her animals. I have dealt with hundreds of clients, and I soon realized Linda and Dave were exceptional. Their passion for improving the Arabian breed was combined with a true love for each of their horses.

Linda and Dave supported our program with their philanthropy. When you enter the Mehney Conference Room in the Pegasus Critical Care Center, you are greeted by a photo of Linda and Minotaur, one of her favorite stallions. I am in the Mehney Conference Room several times each week for meetings and teaching, and every time I am reminded of Linda’s commitment to her horses and the Arabian breed.

Like all Arabian horse enthusiasts, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Linda’s death from COVID-19 earlier this year. She was one of those “clients of a lifetime.” I had a deep respect for Linda and am honored to have had the chance to know and work with her. We lost a true champion, in every sense of the word, with her death.

Contributions in Linda’s memory can help us solve the mystery of idiopathic renal hematuria.

Gifts can be sent to Michigan State University, with Linda Mehney Memorial noted on the subject line.

Sally Williams,

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Colorado State University

Linda raised the bar when it came to friendship. She stayed in touch, made you feel like part of the family, never spoke behind your back, and if times got tough, Linda was there to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. She never hesitated to pick up the phone to insist on meeting for something fun to do. And viola your worries were over. The three most important things in the world to Linda were family, Arabian horses, and friends. Whenever she could combine all three her eyes sparkled, her smile became bigger than her face, and she nearly exploded with excitement. If you were part of one of those gatherings, you couldn’t help but notice everyone had taken on the same excitement. Linda was infectious!

When Linda decided to start breeding Arabian horses, she went to horse shows and asked lots of questions. She studied what was winning, she found successful breeders, and trainers to gather more information. Yes, she put her heart and soul into learning how to have a successful breeding program; After gathering advice from all these individuals she added her own dream. The dream of the perfect Arabian. When she found a stallion to cross with her mares, she went to learn about shipping semen at Colorado State University. She went back to learn to freeze, and how to make it available to mares all over the world. Linda had great respect for CSU, and consulted with them many times.

She felt they were the best in the world.

I always wondered how she managed to walk in mud, wind, and rain without a speck of makeup smudged, a hair out of place, or a spot of mud on her shoes. Finally, I’ve figured it out! She was an angel! Her purpose was to teach us all how to live with integrity, follow your passion, cherish your time with friends and family, support the charities that mean the most to you, dance when the spirit moves you, and just make the world a better place.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to one of Linda’s favorite causes, equine genetic research, would be appreciated.

Donations can be made to the Colorado State University Foundation (CSUF), mailed to: CSUF, P.O. Box 1870, Fort Collins, CO, 80522-1870 Please note “in memory of Linda Mehney” in the memo.

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