RIP - Cha Cha, John Henry, & Killer
Oct. 31st, 2007 10:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blueeowynOver the last few months, 3 more horses have died/had to be put down. It hurts but I want to give them a brief eulogy. I wish I could write more.
I now (again unfortunately) get to introduce you all to Challenger aka Cha Cha. Cha Cha was a black shire with impressive presence. For the last several years he was Sir Williams personal mount and they looked amazing together. He was an impressive horse with courage and determination. He was one that I got asked a lot of questions about. His mouth was constantly busy so the foam flew (and was the source of a lot of the questions ... no he was NOT rabid). From what I hear, he was sick for quite awhile and despite lots of trying, they were unable to save him. RIP big black boy. [I've actually known about the loss of Cha Cha for awhile but was asked to wait to post it until after Faire.]
Challenger Starts
Challenger with Sir William aboard starts a charge.
Challenger Runs
You can get a feeling of his speed when you see the blurs.
M. Amos took these last year (shown with permission).
Fast, noble, proud. May your time in the pastures of the other side be joyous and full of challenges for you to meet per your name. Charge on big guy
http://www.kyhorsepark.com/blog2.php?pageid=1§ionid=1
has most of the 'general' information on the old cantankerous one. I saw John several times when visiting the horse park. The park was the home to the only 2 living horses in the top 25 Race Horses of the 20th Century (Cigar being the other IIRC). John was not much to look at in some ways but you have to admire his strength, determination, and opinionatedness. He raced MUCH longer than the 'champions' of today and faced many more challenges. He was a PIA to handle but when you were near him, you knew that you were near something special. Even if he did have more of a "Look of Rattlesnake" than "Look of Eagles". I am glad that they let him go before he suffered too much. He was 32 which is OLD for a horse and ancient for a racehorse (esp. a gelding).
'Killer' was an Arabian mare who lived at the barn. Her actual barn name was Tess but her owner liked talking about this 'dangerous wild horse' who was one of the most tolerant and gentle horses I have known. During her life, Tess did many different things but most recently she has focused on dressage and was pretty good at it (esp. for an aging Arabian). Unfortunately for her, age has consequences and in her case it mainly manifested in her feet. The repeated bouts of laminitis led to pretty severe founder. I didn't know her well but I miss seeing her head hanging out of the stall.
I now (again unfortunately) get to introduce you all to Challenger aka Cha Cha. Cha Cha was a black shire with impressive presence. For the last several years he was Sir Williams personal mount and they looked amazing together. He was an impressive horse with courage and determination. He was one that I got asked a lot of questions about. His mouth was constantly busy so the foam flew (and was the source of a lot of the questions ... no he was NOT rabid). From what I hear, he was sick for quite awhile and despite lots of trying, they were unable to save him. RIP big black boy. [I've actually known about the loss of Cha Cha for awhile but was asked to wait to post it until after Faire.]
Challenger Starts
Challenger with Sir William aboard starts a charge.
Challenger Runs
You can get a feeling of his speed when you see the blurs.
M. Amos took these last year (shown with permission).
http://www.kyhorsepark.com/blog2.php?pageid=1§ionid=1
has most of the 'general' information on the old cantankerous one. I saw John several times when visiting the horse park. The park was the home to the only 2 living horses in the top 25 Race Horses of the 20th Century (Cigar being the other IIRC). John was not much to look at in some ways but you have to admire his strength, determination, and opinionatedness. He raced MUCH longer than the 'champions' of today and faced many more challenges. He was a PIA to handle but when you were near him, you knew that you were near something special. Even if he did have more of a "Look of Rattlesnake" than "Look of Eagles". I am glad that they let him go before he suffered too much. He was 32 which is OLD for a horse and ancient for a racehorse (esp. a gelding).
'Killer' was an Arabian mare who lived at the barn. Her actual barn name was Tess but her owner liked talking about this 'dangerous wild horse' who was one of the most tolerant and gentle horses I have known. During her life, Tess did many different things but most recently she has focused on dressage and was pretty good at it (esp. for an aging Arabian). Unfortunately for her, age has consequences and in her case it mainly manifested in her feet. The repeated bouts of laminitis led to pretty severe founder. I didn't know her well but I miss seeing her head hanging out of the stall.
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