In Memoriam
"Ferris"
They say it'll get easier as time passes on....
They say I'll soon forget that he is missing from my life, and move onto the next....
They say that time heals all wounds ----
On September 5th, 2014; I lost my best friend... Plain and simple. I lost the horse whom had shared half his life with me, as I shared myself with him. I lost not only an equine friend, but my partner in crime; my rock, and my foundation. Ferris and I had spent the remaining years of our career, sweeping the Hunter/Jumper circuit. He won everything he possibly could have, and gave the up & comings, a run for their money.
Ferris, was more than just a horse... he was a showman. He knew what the definition of 'debonair' was; and lived his own existence to that definition. He was a gentleman, always chewing with his mouth closed; never bit unless bitten first. Kicked, when he disagreed, but I don't know of a single male (equine or otherwise) who wouldn't do the same. He loved his peppermints, but loved molasses more -- the one thing he wasn't allowed to have, until the day we laid him to rest.
They say I'll soon forget that he is missing from my life, and move onto the next....
They say that time heals all wounds ----
On September 5th, 2014; I lost my best friend... Plain and simple. I lost the horse whom had shared half his life with me, as I shared myself with him. I lost not only an equine friend, but my partner in crime; my rock, and my foundation. Ferris and I had spent the remaining years of our career, sweeping the Hunter/Jumper circuit. He won everything he possibly could have, and gave the up & comings, a run for their money.
Ferris, was more than just a horse... he was a showman. He knew what the definition of 'debonair' was; and lived his own existence to that definition. He was a gentleman, always chewing with his mouth closed; never bit unless bitten first. Kicked, when he disagreed, but I don't know of a single male (equine or otherwise) who wouldn't do the same. He loved his peppermints, but loved molasses more -- the one thing he wasn't allowed to have, until the day we laid him to rest.
He was thirty years old...
...Surpassed a milestone that all of his prior family members had failed to do. His dam passed at twenty-three... his sire at twenty-six. I thought sometime around eighteen that I was going to lose him; after a neurological bout sent him off to pasture for two years, I was pretty confident that my partner was no more --- but he came back, and went back into the show ring for another round.
At twenty-four, he finally retired from jumping; refusing the first and only fence of his entire career -- I knew then, that his old bones had said 'enough' to the glamour of the show ring. The rides softened from galavanting across the desert at midnight; to a simple bareback trail ride down the street. He pranced and jigged his way through the remaining years of his ridden career, as he always had done; being the former racehorse he once was.
...Surpassed a milestone that all of his prior family members had failed to do. His dam passed at twenty-three... his sire at twenty-six. I thought sometime around eighteen that I was going to lose him; after a neurological bout sent him off to pasture for two years, I was pretty confident that my partner was no more --- but he came back, and went back into the show ring for another round.
At twenty-four, he finally retired from jumping; refusing the first and only fence of his entire career -- I knew then, that his old bones had said 'enough' to the glamour of the show ring. The rides softened from galavanting across the desert at midnight; to a simple bareback trail ride down the street. He pranced and jigged his way through the remaining years of his ridden career, as he always had done; being the former racehorse he once was.
Ferris was born in 1984 at Calumet Farms, in Lexington, KY. Born into racing royalty, out of his dam, the Black-eyed Susan winning broodmare, "Farest Nan"; and an own son of the legendary sprinter "Best Turn". Ferris, was named after the duo... earning the papered title of "Farest Turn", for his early racing career.
As a racehorse, he ran across the country -- Kentucky, to California. Eventually he retired after a stint at Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields; being sold as a prospective show hunter -- a distinguished move which set his carer into motion.
As a show hunter, Ferris excelled over fences; winning numerous titles along the west coast, before being shipped north to Canada. Upon his arrival in Canada, Ferris began a long and wonderful journey through the ranks of children's hunters, to adults alike. It was there, he was teamed up with the trainers whom would help him rise to Hunter stardom, as the legendary "Doc Marten".
As a racehorse, he ran across the country -- Kentucky, to California. Eventually he retired after a stint at Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields; being sold as a prospective show hunter -- a distinguished move which set his carer into motion.
As a show hunter, Ferris excelled over fences; winning numerous titles along the west coast, before being shipped north to Canada. Upon his arrival in Canada, Ferris began a long and wonderful journey through the ranks of children's hunters, to adults alike. It was there, he was teamed up with the trainers whom would help him rise to Hunter stardom, as the legendary "Doc Marten".
Ferris was a clown...
He had the most expressive face; and the personality to match it. He always had the ability to make me laugh, and kept all those around him laughing too. I cannot recall a single time in the 16 years I knew him, when he didn't put his nose in my face and glare at me, with his huge sclera-visible eyes. As he grew older, his teeth became more apparent, and he would simply "smile" every time he greeted me. He loved to smile. -- and I loved watching the whole world smile back at him. RIP, my handsome man. |
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"Vallejo Maestro's Remarkable Lyric"
2008-2015
"Squirt".... as he was known at home. He was named after a character in a show at Disneyland; a character who is one of the lesser known public icons. Ironically, he was named during a fireworks spectacular, one evening at the park. No surprise there!
He was an AMHA/AMHR registered miniature stallion; standing a mere 29" tall at the withers. He was built like a perfectly refined little horse, simply scaled down to backseat size, and thrust into the world of mainstream competition. Winner of the AMHA 2009 Overall Grand Champion Junior Stallion title, at the WC Summer Spectacular competition in CA, it was one of many titles and point earning marks he accumulated during his short, but fantastic show career.
Squirt was an icon himself, always in the spotlight of public forums, both online and off. He loved children, dogs... a people-pony in general, with the comedic personality to back it up. He had the kindest eyes... the sweetest tiny baby face, and loved to simply be in your presence. Everywhere we went, everyone had to come over and see him. He was notorious for making friends, wherever he went; and keeping them for life. He was the subject of a thousand photo shoots; both holiday and otherwise; always standing like a perfect gentleman on cue; he didn't mind when I dressed him up. He was endearing and loving off-camera too; always a bit stoic, but never the 'man of the house'; when it came time to romantic interests.
He might have been tiny in form, but he had a gigantic heart.
On December 20th, 2015; I lost my 'wee man'... to a startling and tragic accident in his pen. His injuries were too severe to be corrected without complications; and an equally as earth-shattering discovery on the X-rays revealed a greater reason to say farewell. Squirt passed into the next life, in the arms of three people who loved him dearly; quietly... softly.... and shrouded in our embraces. He is lovingly buried beside his longtime barn mate, Ferris.
He will always be fondly remembered, for his heartwarming presence, and endearing spirit.
Rest well, my sweet 'wee man'. I love you, always. <3
He was an AMHA/AMHR registered miniature stallion; standing a mere 29" tall at the withers. He was built like a perfectly refined little horse, simply scaled down to backseat size, and thrust into the world of mainstream competition. Winner of the AMHA 2009 Overall Grand Champion Junior Stallion title, at the WC Summer Spectacular competition in CA, it was one of many titles and point earning marks he accumulated during his short, but fantastic show career.
Squirt was an icon himself, always in the spotlight of public forums, both online and off. He loved children, dogs... a people-pony in general, with the comedic personality to back it up. He had the kindest eyes... the sweetest tiny baby face, and loved to simply be in your presence. Everywhere we went, everyone had to come over and see him. He was notorious for making friends, wherever he went; and keeping them for life. He was the subject of a thousand photo shoots; both holiday and otherwise; always standing like a perfect gentleman on cue; he didn't mind when I dressed him up. He was endearing and loving off-camera too; always a bit stoic, but never the 'man of the house'; when it came time to romantic interests.
He might have been tiny in form, but he had a gigantic heart.
On December 20th, 2015; I lost my 'wee man'... to a startling and tragic accident in his pen. His injuries were too severe to be corrected without complications; and an equally as earth-shattering discovery on the X-rays revealed a greater reason to say farewell. Squirt passed into the next life, in the arms of three people who loved him dearly; quietly... softly.... and shrouded in our embraces. He is lovingly buried beside his longtime barn mate, Ferris.
He will always be fondly remembered, for his heartwarming presence, and endearing spirit.
Rest well, my sweet 'wee man'. I love you, always. <3