Obituary - Arthur & Barbara Jones
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
The Morgan world lost an exemplary pair of Morgan horse lovers with the passing of both Barbara and Arthur Jones in 2015.
Barbara, born in 1933, passed away on October 14, 2015. She was predeceased by husband Arthur who died at age 96 on May 5th, 2015. They were married for 39 years.
“Bell Flaire was their life,” niece Marsha Garone advises. “That’s what they would want you to write about.”
The horse in question is multiple world champion HVK Bell Flaire (Noble Flaire x HVK Belleek). Barbara practically willed him to become the only Morgan in history to win the triple crown of World Champion Stallion (1994), Park Harness World Champion (1994, 1997 & 1999), and Park Saddle World Champion (2002). He was trained for most of his career by Thomas Caisse at Kohler Stables. Judy Whitney Harris trained and rode him to his saddle title. Today HVK Bell Flaire lives with Marsha and her husband Gary Garone at their Fairfield South stable in Richmond, New Hampshire.
The couple also owned Montbelle Rosalie (Montbelle Trophy x Overlook Lucinda) who was named World Champion Mare in 1989. They raised a daughter of HVK Belle Flaire and Montbelle Rosalie, namely Sheza Bell, who earned her own world titles.
Arthur, who was a police chief in the town of Newbury, New Hampshire, also drove Rivermist Drum Major to the Amateur Pleasure Driving World Championship in 1989.
The trainer of both Rosalie and Drum Major was Hobby Knoll Stables in Massachusetts. Says Hobby Knoll’s Ann Anderson, “They really cared about their horses. They were already elderly when they were here, but they were very much involved. Arthur came to drive and was religious about practicing. Barbara loved Rosalie. No matter what she did she loved her. And they both were so proud about Bell Flaire and had well-founded love of him. They liked Morgan people and the business.”
“They were private, didn’t belong to a lot of committees,” Ann agrees, “but they were involved in their horses’ lives. They just loved their horses.”
Arthur and Barbara were a fixture on the rail at New England Regional, Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® and other Morgan shows, applauding their much loved champions and spending time with the friends they had made over the years. They will be conspicuous in their absence.
Barbara is survived by her niece Marsha Garone of Richmond, New Hampshire and a granddaughter Jennifer Richardson of Newbury, New Hampshire.
Printed courtesy of Stephen Kinney, The Morgan Horse
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