Located at the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains where the White and Black Rivers converge, Larry Parnell Stables was started in the 1950's with a focus on training and showing Shetland Ponies.
1990 saw a major change at Larry Parnell Stables when Larry and Murl joined the Erwins of
NFC Miniature Horse Farm and started showing Miniature Horses. Thus began a new program at the stable and many new friendships and clients came to join Larry Parnell Stables. Over ten years later and with more than 200 National Champions, the Miniature Horse has become a main part of Larry and Murl's life.
The Shetland Congress in 1998 saw another major change come to Larry Parnell Stables for it was at this show that Dale and Shirley Lutke told us about a small herd of miniature Shetland ponies they had found. This herd was a line-bred Seth Thomas family. The herd had the beauty, style, and conformation of the famous Seth Thomas get of the 60's but of a much smaller size. Little did we know at this time that by 1999 we would be so involved with the Seth Thomas Collection. 1999 saw a small herd of these mares at our farm along with BHR Lerwick (138812A/18140) for a breeding stallion. The first foal crop
produced some outstanding foals but the greatest excitement came in 2000 with the first foal crop planned completely by Dale, Shirley, Murl, and myself.
The summer of 2000 saw a visitor arrive in Arkansas to see the Seth Thomas Collection. We at the farm were both excited and afraid. What would Mrs. Eloise Seekamp say about our herd? After all, this lovely lady and her late husband had owned Seth Thomas. Mrs. Seekamp went through our herd of mares and without any help picked each one of the Seth Thomas mares and told us that we were still breeding and developing the look she and her husband had strived for.
While at the farm a three-week-old foal came by with his dam and Mrs. Seekamp truly fell in love with him. The following fall that foal was the Reserve National Futurity Champion and the National Champion Stallion Foal, defeating over 60 foals. Thus began the show career of D&S 21st Century Thomas. Thomas followed in the footsteps of his family by winning the National Grand Champion Park Harness Class at the 2003 Nationals at three years of age.
The Seth Thomas Collection has helped to fulfill a dream not only with D&S 21st Century Thomas but also with other National Champions such as Grandlands Justin Time, D&S Tom Collins, D&S Candy Man Can, D&S Spooktacular, D&S Golden Eagle, and D&S Allegro. We know this is only the beginning of a great line of horses that will be remembered for generations to come.
Thank you Mrs. Seekamp for your care and belief in Seth Thomas who, forty years later, is still making dreams come true
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