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ASHA Thank You Letter to My Saddlebred: Heir's To You

Dear Heir,

I miss you every day, my sweet boy. I am so glad that you shared your life with me. You were one of the most special horses I think I’ll ever have the privilege of knowing. Your heart was made of gold, and you were a true show horse until the day you passed. I loved every single thing about you. Your rich chestnut color, your beautiful blaze, and your happy face every time we would open a stall. You made me feel so happy inside, and I can never thank you enough for that.

My mom, my dad, and I had the opportunity to love you for over ten years, and you gave us everything while you were with us. You gave us so many blue ribbons while you were young, and when you grew old, you were my bareback king and emotional support. Every day you would want to go to work with your ears pricked forward and never wanting to just flat walk. Your spirit would shine so bright like the sun. I wanted to be around you all the time, and there was never a day that you wouldn’t bring a smile to my face. You wanted to make us happy, you always did. I truly believe that you loved us just as much as we loved you. 

You did not win your world championship title with us, but it is still my favorite thing to watch on Richfield. I could win Louisville a countless number of times, and I will always feel the most excitement when I hear your number called out from a video taken in 2002. It made me so proud that you chose us to live the remainder of your life with. I wanted everyone to know that you were a world champion, because I’ve never seen a horse more deserving of such a title. I think you knew you were a champion too, because you always held your head so high. There was something about you that set you apart, some indescribable feeling that would flutter in my heart when I would watch you show. Impressive doesn’t come close to describing how breathtaking you were. 

Photo: Jane Jacobs

I remember when I was little, and my mom would take you and Double Trouble to shows, you always would be so excited to get in the ring and perform. It was your niche, to show. Every class you went in you tried for us, and you always did more than enough. Even if you didn’t win, we were so proud that we called you ours. I never got the chance to show you for myself, but I sat on your back so many times, and I felt like I was riding Skywatch. You didn’t trot the highest, or the squarest in your older years, but you never lost the ability to make someone feel like they were on a big time show horse. I don’t think I’ll ever sit on another horse that made me so excited to ride. I never wanted to get off. Your ears would almost touch when we would jog, and you never stood still for me to get on, which made me laugh. You never did anything out of malice, it was just time to go to work, even if I sloppily tied a fat lead rope around your halter just so I would have something to hold on to because you were pretty round.

You taught me balance, you taught me patience, you taught me to be kind to your horse and he will be kind to you. There’s a feeling that you gave us, one that is indescribable, that only those who met you could attest to. You gave us so much joy and love, and were a class act until the day you passed. You had an ego, but you were so kind. You were so pure, and only wanted to do good in this world. 

You touched so many lives, and I will always keep you so close to my heart. I would have terrible days, but seeing your face, where you would practically smile with your ears, never failed to make me feel better. I wish every horse was like you, so that more people could experience what a grand animal you were. You made my life better because you were in it. You are everything I hope that an American Saddlebred can be. I may have high standards for equine personalities now, but nothing will ever be able to replace how special you were. I’ll never think that I said goodbye enough times, or that I thanked you enough, or told you I loved you, but in my heart I know that you always knew how much we loved you and miss you. 

 Thank you for every single thing that you have done for me. Thank you for letting us love you. Thank you for being my teacher. Thank you for being my light on dark days. Thank you for the numerous blue ribbons and amazing times that you gave us. Thank you for always being you. I don’t think I can ever ask for more. 

My world champion, my sunshine, my proud knight, my big red unicorn and always my Heir’s To You. 

Love, Rhiannon and Stacey

Rhiannon is a young amateur from Pennsylvania currently attending the University of Kentucky where she rides on the Dressage team and continues to chase her #asbdreams on 2020 WC Undulata's Johnny Rebel and Fox Grape's Jungle Gardenia.