I just want to tell you how touched I was by your loving tribute to a very great man - D. Mark Yother! I loved Mark. He saw the horse-lover, breeder, owner in me that I wanted to be. It's through his mentorship that I became twice president of Georgia TOBA. He helped us buy our very first mare and he allowed me to help him foal our very first thoroughbred homebred (foaled and raised at M&A in 1989). As a matter of fact, he saved Untarnished's life as she got stuck part of the way in the foaling process. He cut through the sack and gave her mouth to snout respiration. It saved her life. Later in her life, Adelaide saved her life by getting a vet out to the farm when she colicked so badly. She was only 6 weeks old. Believe it or not, Untarnished lived to race, win, and foal a beautiful, award-winning, conformation filly. Sadly, she colicked again at age 5 while carrying another foal. She couldn't be saved that time.

Mark taught me so very much. We spent so many hours pouring over stallion directories and discussing bloodlines. I actually saw one of his all-time favorite thoroughbred stallions - Sunshine Forever - and said hello just for Mark. I spent so much time with Mr. TriPower and Mark's beautiful appendix horses, Charlie and Mark. My favorite of all time (other than our horses - Permanent Cut, Untarnished, and Biblion) was Rocko. I don't suppose you know if Rocko is still around... I'd love to know.

I also morn both Illystrian and Miss Adelaide whom I knew very, very well. The Dela Perrieres (Bess and Armand) were very good friends of ours, too. We still follow their horses.

Although I now live in Michigan, my heart still goes back to M&A often. We fished on Mark's pond, rode (Rocko) on the trails, and spent endless hours walking and rounding up horses in his pastures. I bathed so many horses and put them on the hot-walker... In other words, a large part of my soul is still there.

I am so very pleased to know the farm lives on. Mark would have wanted that. I hope some day to come back for a visit. I'm older, much grayer, and much sadder, but a visit there would bring me a whole lot of joy - as well as more than a few tears for all that have gone home and for those long-ago days.

I plan to bookmark your website and check it often. I would also appreciate any news you might want to share with me. I would imagine Mark's little grandson is now a man with children of his own.

Thank you, again, for taking care of a very special place and remembering a most special man.

Sincerely,
Melissa

**Thank you so very much for contacting us Melissa.  We do still think of Mark often and miss his presence at the farm all the time. 12-29-11**

UCF lost a very dear friend in Dallas Mark Yother on April 22nd, 2008.
Mark loved his farm and loved his horses.  He was a well respected horseman and
race horse trainer of over 40 years.  He was well respected and loved his family and friends.
There will be a void that will never be filled with his absence.  His memories we will always
cherish.  We love you Mark and we know you are smiling down upon us from above.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mrs. Adelaide Hill Yother.
A veteran of the U.S. Army who served in WWII and attained the rank of Tech Sgt.
Mr. Yother spent much of his early life in service to his country and pursuing various
entrepreneurial endeavors. After founding M&A Welding Supply Co., he continued to operate
the Atlanta-based business for over 20 years. A lifelong equine enthusiast, he spent his 
final forty years of his life on his farm, M&A Acres.  M&A was one of the first race horse
training facilities in Cherokee County. Throughout his life, Mr. Yother was known for his
charisma, generosity, and humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Mark Yother's beloved chestnut mare, Illystrian, went home on September 25th, 2008.  Illystrian was diagnosed with a very agressive bone cancer located in her jaw.  Her health had been declining swiftly, her spirited self not there, and with no hope for recovery and only continued suffering in her future...the decision was made to put her to rest. 

Illystrian was a very successful race horse (sprinter) and won numerous races under Mark Yother's guidance.  She only produced one filly, Miss Speedy that was a successful eventer and living with Mark's nephew Brian.  Illystrian, even in her 20's, was still one of the fastest horses on the property and you could only imagine the blazing speed she possessed earlier in life.  Illystrian was a beautiful colored chestnut with a set of the kindest eyes you have ever seen.  She left behind her stablemate Adelaide, who will undoubtedly miss Illystrian to pieces. 

Krissy and Valerie were with Illystrian before, during, and after Illystrian's passing.  Illystrian went quickly and peacefully under Dr. Kraski's supervision.  Prior to her leaving, Krissy made her promise to say hello to Mark in heaven and to give him hugs and kisses from us all.  UCF will greatly miss this horse...as we still greatly miss her owner Mark Yothers.  

Tribute to Illystrian by Valerie Martin

Red mare running swiftly ... ride 
The winds that take you with the tide, 
To shores unknown, your place to be, 
Today you race away from me, 
With God to guide your spirit free. 

          

     

 

Mark Yother's other treasured horse, Miss Adelaide, passed away late Wednesday, December 17th.  Adelaide was one of Mark's appendix mares that he raised from birth.  She was the constant companion to Illustryian who had just recently passed away this year from a cancerous growth in her jawbone.  Adelaide will be greatly missed by us all, but there is NO doubt she is at home with the best of them.  These two mares were inseperable in life and now it seems inseperable in heaven.   

Adelaide was a kind hearted little chocolate bay mare that UCF'ers took under their wing after Mark Yother's passing in April of this year.  She was hand grazed, groomed, and given love by many of the UCF boarders.  

She developed colic due to a palpoma( non malignant tumor) that wrapped around her small intestine causing a major blockage. With surgery not being an option and after hours of treating to make sure all other options were tried...the hard decision was made to end her suffering.  (Krissy was at Adelaide's side through the whole ordeal along with the vet to make sure that everything possible was done to make her comfortable.)     

Adelaide was 25 years old at the time of her death.  She shall sorely be missed.