North Union graduate Blake Taylor’s horse, Blossom, will be featured on a stamp from the U.S. Postal Service next year. The pair are pictured in the photo above. Below, Blossom is pictured second from the right.
(Photos submitted)
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A Union County horse is getting a unique bit of national recognition this year.
Blossom, a Gypsy Vanner breed of horses from CopperTop Clydesdales, a farm north of Marysville, will be featured by the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp program next year.
Blake Taylor, a North Union graduate who also served as this year’s Richwood Independent Fair king, cares for Blossom and said he’s excited for his animal to be honored.
“We got the news and I thought this was really cool,” Taylor said. “I don’t know anyone else who has anything on a stamp.”
The stamps will come out next year and Blossom will be among the four other horses being featured on the stamps, which celebrate the country’s history and reliance on the animal.
A press release from the USPS earlier this month said, “This stamp issuance celebrates America’s love of horses, Once instrumental in the early economic development of the United States, horses are now valued athletes and loyal companions, and are important in law enforcement, forestry, entertainment, equine therapy and cattle ranching.”
Taylor said the whole thing came about from a photo contest.
“Five or six years ago a family friend that’s a photographer, Stephanie Moon, wanted to take some pictures of our horses,” he said. “She said she got a real good one of Blossom and asked my mom to submit the picture to this contest.”
He said Moon took it from there, submitted the photo and Blossom’s picture was one of five total images selected for the stamps.
“It’s surprising, but it’s pretty cool,” he said.
Taylor, who said he participates in the Bits 4-H of Richwood, said the family has had Blossom since she was born in 2010.
“She’s 13-years-old and one of a number of horses my family breeds,” he said. “We do Clydesdales mostly but also do others.”
He said Blossom has been shown at or visited the Union County Fair, the Richwood Independent Fair and the Ohio State Fair where he has won a number of awards and ribbons including Grand Champion Driving Reinsmanship in 2019. Taylor also served as the equine ambassador with Blossom.
For the last two years, Taylor has worked with the Village of Richwood for the annual Haunted Trail at the park.
“At Halloween, for the Haunted Trail, I dress up as the Headless Horse and ride Blossom as part the event,” he said.
Taylor started at Marion Technical College this year where he studies mechanical engineering. He is also an Eagle Scout scout with Troop 440 of Richwood.
“Anyone who wants to see Blossom can come see her at the Union County Fair and Richwood Fair next year. I still have one more year of 4H,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without her.”