UCF lost a very dear friend in Dallas Mark Yother on April 22nd, 2008. Mark loved his farm, loved his horses (a well respected horseman and race horse trainer of over 40 years), loved his dogs, loved his family, and was loved in returned by his family and friends. There will be a void that will never be filled with his absence, but 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 the final forty years of his life on his farm, M&A Acres, 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.