Dedication

Matthew David Sanborn

8/28/77 - 12/20/01

Although no one knew it at the time, MDS farms was born on December 20, 2001, the night we lost Matthew David Sanborn at 24 years of age. Matt was in a single-truck accident while returning home from Christmas shopping just a few days before Christmas.

Since the 1970s, Matthew's parents, Barry and Joanne Sanborn, have owned and operated Five Maples Farm. His grandparents, Dave and Joanne Hodges, have owned and operated Mountain Side Farm since the late 1950's. Both farms are located in Salisbury, New Hampshire.

Matthew grew up at Five Maples Farm with his older brother Dan and his younger brother Mike. Matt had always been a horse guy. Along with his brothers, they had all ridden ponies and horses since they were able to walk. Matt won his first youth NRHA reining at the 1990 Super Slide In at the age of 14. Matt was also a Golden Gloves boxer from the age of 16 through 18, and was more than willing each time he entered the boxing ring. Matt also loved the sport of rodeo and was named the 1998 APRA Bareback Bronc Rookie of the Year. This rodeo accomplishment paled in comparison to the birth of his and Erin's daughter, Alyssa Marie, that same year.

At the time of his death, Matt had established a very lucrative horse shoeing business, MDS Horse shoeing (now operated by Michael Sanborn), he was building his own home, another hot rod, he had just completed his custom made Harley Davidson and loved to hunt and fish. In the summer of 2001 he was at the top of his reining game and by that fall he had won three NRHA bronze trophies on "Velvet Chrome" with his last win coming at the 2001 Maine Event. Those of you who knew him will remember that when Matt's name was called to enter the show pen people would come to the rail to watch because they knew it was going to be an exciting run, no matter what.

Flashback to December 19, 2001. Matt along with his cousins Caleb and Patrick Connor were showing reiners under the guidance of their grandparents, Dave and Joanne Hodges, all of whom were no strangers to the winner’s circle. Dan Sanborn was building homes and raising two daughters with his wife Teri and is spending his free time with his pulling cattle and either hunting or fishing, and has not shown a horse for 10 years or more. Mike Sanborn is playing football for his high school and riding dirt bikes or snowmobiles and has no current interest in the horse business. Barry and Joanne, although involved with reining horses since the 1970s, are showing a few AQHA pleasure horses and are busy keeping track of their three sons and grandchildren.

On December 20, 2001 everything changed -- the entire family was stunned and devastated by the loss of Matthew. For some reason we all found comfort in the reining horses, thus by the loss of Matthew. For some reason we all found comfort in the reining horses, thus MDS Farms evolved and the two farms became one. Dan went to the arena at Dave and Joanne's Mountain Side Farm and has been there, heart and soul, ever since. Barry and Joanne followed because it felt like they were close to Matt when they were in the arena where he spent so much time. Mike evolved to take over MDS Horse shoeing and became an APRA bareback bronc rider. Dave and Joanne added 12 new stalls to the arena and have invested heavily, both financially and emotionally, in the progression of MDS Farms. The breeding program is in full swing. In addition, Dave and Joanne had dedicated themselves to providing unending support to the family and the horses that now carry the MDS prefix on all of their registered names.

The entire family continues to find comfort and purpose in the sport of reining. Those of you who knew Matt with his flaming enthusiasm and his motto, "In pursuit of perfection", will understand the passion and commitment that drives the family today. For those of you who did not know Matt, this may help explain the loud you hear from the MDS gang when a MDS entry is in the pen; we are whooping and riding for Matt.

For those of you who have wondered what the reason is behind the shamrock brand on the horses or why the shamrock baseball caps, Matt was a fan of the Fighting Irish and was rarely seen without a shamrock cap on his head. The shamrock has become the farm logo in memory of Matt.

MDS Farms is now working on its rider development program. Matthew Robert Sanborn, two years old, just completed his first lead line class at the Classic, and Lindsey age nine, Lauren age six and Alyssa age eight, are working their way through the Future Reiners classes. We are sure that Matt is very proud of this new group of riders, and sees their every run.

We would like to thank all of you who have helped us and continue to support MDS Farms in our passion for the sport of reining. We consider the NERHA our extended family and appreciate all you have given to each of us. Our involvement with the NERHA family continues to be a wonderful experience.

Sincerely,

Team Shamrock

The MDS Farms Gang