Last weekend, enjoying the mild fall weather and sunshine, I was out on our Cross Country training course with several groups of horses and riders.
A wide range of experience and ages, both in the riders and the horses, were here, and we had a great time. Whether it was working on pace and gallop, working on rhythm and rider position, or just learning about controlling a happy horse cheerfully moving forward in the wide open spaces, everyone had a good day, everyone took home new skills.
Taffy found someone to "Poodle Sit" so she didn't join in the running and jumping. The field was drenched in sunshine, it just of called out for horses to gallop through it.
We think Hyram, the original settler on those fields, would be pleased. He was all about horses and corn whiskey, not necessarily in that order. Rumour has it that his old still is out there, sunk in the Hidden Lake. Remnants of his house and stable are still there, that's for sure, and we still use one of his painstakingly piled stone fence lines as a jump.
Horses give their riders so very much. The lessons are about trust, and dedication, about working together to achieve a harmony, about learning to work with someone else, in the closest of partnerships. They teach us about dealing with creatures of flesh and blood and bone and emotion... lessons we carry with us forever. Horses don't care who you are, they care only what you are -- and they respond. They give us wings, and confidence, and teach us more lessons than can be listed. They can take us to incredible heights...
And sometimes they bring us to incredible lows. We came home that day to learn that Canada had lost a legend. Gold medalist, World Champion... the Best Horse in the World (truly) Hickstead had collapsed and died at a competition in Verona. We can only imagine the devastation felt by Eric Lamaze, Hickstead's long time rider. Together, this combination went right to the top, they achieved results athletes everywhere, in any sport, can only dream about. They gave the equestrian world true heroes, something to cheer about. And then this wonderful, incredible, beautiful horse, the one Eric used to joke had "eyes in his knees" because he so seldom touched a fence, the horse who's enormous heart and courage never failed Eric or Canada... that horse's heart failed him. He left us at the top of his game.
We are richer for having known Hickstead, for having watched and cheered his career, the joyful way he tackled those monstrous fences -- "playing with them" as Eric would say. We are so grateful for those memories. And we mourn, with Eric and all the folks at Torrey Pines, the passing of this legend, this friend, this partner.
For all that I agree. However, he went doing what he apparently loved. It is up to those who remain to celebrate his life. That's how I'd like to go - swiftly, still able to do what I love. My hospice clients have taught me many lessons about death and dying.
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