Anybody "brushed greatness"?

[denny]

The thread about Genuine Risk made me think it might be interesting to see who have had that chance, if ever so fleeting, to be in close proximity to a horse who has changed a breed or a sport.
I`ll go first, because I started the thread.
When I was a teenager, I knew Ted Davis, in Windsor, Vt. He owned UPWEY BEN DON, and I spent a fair bit of time around that horse who so influenced the Morgan breed, in that he is in so many modern pedigrees.
Since then I`ve "met" a few others,touring stallion stations, but none so "up close and personal" as Ben Don.

[ASB Stars]

I'm only sharing this because you mentioned Morgans...

As a child, I haunted every show held at the Devn Horse Show grounds- which included the Mid-Alantic Morgan show, back then. I saw Waseeka's Nocturne show, and then, his fabulous and breed changing son, In Command. I can still see that magnificent stud in my minds eye- he was necky, and had a gorgeous head, ear and eye, and was talented to boot.

I talk to so many Morgan people who never had the chance to see him- but he appears in their horses papers. I try to share what it was like to see this phenomenon.

Also, I got to see American Saddlebreds at the regular Spring show- and those horses I spent time in the stall with, due to one trainer taking pity on a horse crazy child, and literally taking me by the hand, and allowing his grooms to talk to me, and let me brush and touch those horses . I was probably 10, but seeing Julianne Schmutz- in all her glory, riding WGC CH Forest Song, and WC Gold Treat, and watching Sally Wheeler with WC Special Entertainer, her fabulous cob tail pony WC Terry Jean's Souvenir and WGC CH Tashi Ling- an then getting to be IN the stalls with those horses- something that still gives me chills. I thank Jim B Robertson every day, may he RIP.

There were so many more greats that I got to meet back then- it gave me a life long love of my breed! :winkgrin:

[fish]

Gosh-- thanks to the hospitality of many famous TB stud farms, a season breaking yearlings for hall of fame trainer, TJ Kelly, and other fortunate encounters, I guess I've had many such "brushes." I've both met Seattle Slew and had many conversations with my neighbor, Paula Turner, who broke him for Billy. Have also visited Spectacular Bid (perhaps more influential as a show horse than race horse progenitor thanks to the success of his son, Mytens, and others), Conquistador Cielo (who seems to be making a mark on the breeding of colored sport horses!), Nijinsky, Secretariat, Appalachee etc., etc.-- doesn't take many trips to Ky. to see quite a bit of equine greatness! In Florida, I also was part of the team who broke the lovely Raja Baba mare, Demetria, who went on to produce Rock Point, who won the Preakness and has become a successful show horse sire, and had the pleasure of starting Possible Mate, a stakes winner and stakes producer. I could go on and on. Happily, life is rich with opportunities for all of us to have our brushes with greatness in the horse world-- gosh, now we even receive invitations to chat with Olympians on the internet :)

P.S.-- After reading Tri's post: I picked Cunningham to breed to my mare when he was a newly imported 3 year old. Now (at 9) he's first in the country in the Green Conformation Hunters and been champion in 3 of his first 4 shows in the regulars, winning all of his classes in one of them! Don't know if he qualifies as "great" yet, but sure seems well on his way in my book.

[tri]

I saw Alydar in his first or second real race as a two year old and picked him out before he ran the race as one to watch. Then watched him win that race and the rest is history.

I watched Idocus before he went to his 100 day test and picked him out for a breeding to my imported dutch mare.

Bought an unbroke unregistered 4 year old as a teenager, trained him up, showed and 5 years later when I went to college, we donated him to the program and he went as a fill in horse to the 1984 olympics. He was a gelding so he didn't change horse breeding but he was great in my book.

[GansMyMan]

I've "met" Courage of Equinox, to keep it on the Morgan theme. In fact, during my teenage years we went to the farm, and met all their stallions, every year. I also "met" Spectacular Bid. When my aunt bred to him. She's got a nice filly by him. Which makes her sound a bit dual species, but whatever.

[fotie]

I pat John Henry on the neck. Quite an accomplishment as I heard he likes fingers...

[DownYonder]

I have visited Sandro Hit in his stall quite a few times. :D I have also visited Rohdiamant in his stall several times (have even hand-fed him treats!) and watched Royal Diamond and Relevant worked in their home arena by Lisa Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos. And I saw the late, great Poetin perform a pax de deux with her sire Sandro Hit, then later saw her in her stall at the Oldenburg Horse Center in Vechta. Sigh.....

[pintopiaffe]

I held Seldom Seen once at a NEDA festival while Lendon used the porta-potty. :D She knew (as in 'aquainted with') the person I was grooming for, so after my person was done, I handed back her horse and took the reins of the Big Little Guy. I don't think I breathed. He has always been one of the biggest inspirations of my career.

I knew Boleem when he was at Mikes. I think I probably helped tack or untack him once or twice... Graf George was there too. Zool... Quite the collection there at the time. I'd occasionally pitch in with evening chores (really minor) while my friend was a working student there and I'd go down for the infamous Sunday Afternoons.

I've ridden (had a lesson on) Paragrapho Do Top, in March. He was a gentleman and a cadillac ride. And handled Luar (The first Lusitano to go to the Pan Am games) lunged him, etc. Haven't ridden him. Hoping he's not sold before my Iberian mare is ready to breed to him.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I had bred to West Coast before he was Grand Champion at Lexington, and before he won the Stallion class at Devon, beating Riverman. I was standing with Judy when it was announced he had won. I then picked Walldorf before he did the same, and braided him for his Devon class (My worst braid job ever :() I was thrilled when Judy asked me to take him on his "power walk" before the class. I had to jog to keep up with that HUGE walk. Those 2 boys were truly great IMO. They had it all.

[Janet]

Not me, but my father.

In the very early thirties, his family moved to the US for several years while his father worked at the U Penn Museum. They rented a house (in Glen Riddle) from the Riddles.

He remembers, as a small child, being taken to a neghboring field with a reddish brown horse and being told: "See that horse- he is a very famous race horse named Man o' War."

[Waterwitch]

I stood next to a friend in front of Storm Cat's paddock at Overbrook - Storm Cat bit him and he (the friend) bumped into me - does that count as brushing :D

[LivviesMom]

I had my photo taken with Big Ben on his retirement tour at the Royal..I think I was about 13 or 14 then. Lord was he huge! and I was taller than Sandy who was super nice.. What a sweet horse though. Still have that picture.

[foxhavenfarm]

I got to pet Cass Ole (aka The Black Stallion) in his stall at the Washington International Horse Show shortly after the Black Stallion movie was made. He was a gorgeous boy!

My mom laid her right hand on Secretariat at Claiborne Farm. She says she hasn't washed that hand since. (Also a little bit of interesting info IMHO-Secretariat won the Triple Crown the day I was born :D)

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

I got to pet Gifted when he was at Gladstone many moons ago. What a man that boy was! I loved him so much! just... wow!

[Erin Pittman]

I got to watch Seattle Slew breed a mare in 2001 - we had a private farm tour after the Equine Science meetings. He had about 4 people "helping" him (two behind pushing on his rear to keep him up on the mare and I think one person on each foreleg to hold him on the mare) :eek: :eek:. He still got the job done and looked like a mighty proud boy when all was said and done. I also got to pet him - his son, Capote, did NOT want pets :uhoh:. I saw Skip Away at Hopewell Farm and got myself all excited only to find out that he hates people looking at him in his stall. He actually had to be tied at the back of his stall while we were there to keep him from charging with all his teeth hanging out. :( Kris S has to be the kindest stallion I'd ever met - very curious and totally relaxed.

[holsteinersrock]

Was there, in the barn area "back-stage" when Fusaichi Pegasus won his Derby... he was about a foot from me. Did not dare to reach out my hand to touch him, but I could have. And I bet on him, did not cash the ticket b/c he was the favorite, saved it but I am doubtful if I could locate it now.

I regularly pet on Contender, as he lives with old friends and our Quinar filly is stabled there, have laid my hands on many greats from Cassini II to Acord II, Werther, etc. not to mention a handful of what I'd consider "great" stallions in US.

But, you know, the old Latins said that a rich man is a man for whom it is enough what he has... the best cuddles are with my Concerto Grosso and Winnie the race mare who won close to $ 100 K on dirt and turf and then bucked me off (still recovering from broken pelvis!).

Anna

[idlemoon]

Later On: Lendon Gray's Olympic mount. She graced me with the pleasure of riding him. He is the love of my life. He was my greatest teacher.

Graf George: I was his groom for the selection trials in Europe prior to the Barcelona olympics, and the quarantine after in Canada. Also to include helping take care of Willy the Great, Gifted, Bombadier (the reserve horse that year). Also, Charlotte Bredahls horses were in the same barn. I got to ride both George and Bombadier whoo-who!

Big Ben: in quarantine after the Olympics was in the same barn. I helped grow his grass in the grass-making machine.

Seldom Seen: I got to hang out with him by the pool at his retirement barn.

I have been blessed to have ridden and have had the chance to meet many a great horse. I thank their owners and the horses themselves. Lisa

[siegi b.]

The great Abdullah when he was at the Washington International Horse Show way back when... John Henry, Storm Cat and lots of other very famous race horses when I got the "good" tour of the big barns in Lexington. Genuine Risk when she was here in Waterford - talk about a beautiful mare barn!! Florencio, Jazz, and a few other big stallions at the Brabantenhalle in Holland in 2004 or so. And a long, long time ago I got to pet and admire the great Habicht in Germany.... Ah yes, those were the good old days.. :-)

[Daydream Believer]

I was Hilda Gurney's working student back in 1983-84 and I had the great thrill of taking care of Keen...even sitting on his back to warm him up and cool him down a couple of times. He was definitely the greatest horse I've ever touched. She also had Chrysos at that time who went to the Pan Am games.

I got to visit with The Gray Goose once at his barn back with Kim Walnes and spent a few days with her. Super nice lady and a very cool horse.

I was at Potomac Horse Center when Grant Schniedman had The Flying Dutchman there as well.

I bought a green broken 4 year old TB and evented him up to training level before selling him to a up and coming Young Rider. He later became known as The Sorcerer's Apprentice and evented at the 4 star level.

I almost forgot...I got to see Foolish Pleasure in 1988 in his paddock during our visit to KY. We were warned to say well back from the fence as he was not a friendly fellow.

[pintopiaffe]

OMG, DB, we were *destined* to meet... Chrysos was one of my all time Idols. And I named a big chetty colt after Keen. ;)

Bombadier (the reserve horse that year).

Of all the 'greats' I saw and saw ridden in Fairfield, Boomer was always my favorite, heads above everyone else. :yes: (no offense, of course, to SID. :lol: I just had a very soft spot for Boomer.)

[DownYonder]

Not me, but my father.

In the very early thirties, his family moved to the US for several years while his father worked at the U Penn Museum. They rented a house (in Glen Riddle) from the Riddles.

He remembers, as a small child, being taken to a neghboring field with a reddish brown horse and being told: "See that horse- he is a very famous race horse named Man o' War."


Wow. Now that is a brush with serious greatness!

[Daydream Believer]

OMG, DB, we were *destined* to meet... Chrysos was one of my all time Idols. And I named a big chetty colt after Keen. ;)



Keen was a big sweetheart too. A kinder horse to work with on the ground you'd never find. :) Hilda used him to help haul the babies as he loved to ride in the trailer...you could turn him loose 30 feet from the trailer and he'd load himself. Very neat horse.

Fritz, (Chrysos) was a pretty good boy most of the time. I remember he got ugly with me once putting his blanket on and he could get studdy at inappropriate times but from what I recall, Hilda and her manager, Jill Munro, did a major behavior modification on him when they got him as he'd not been well managed as a stallion. He was always a good boy under saddle though. I got to sit on him also as a matter of the daily warm up and cool off routine when Hilda schooled horses.

[AdAblurr02]

Abu Baha, James F Ward Arabians foundation stallion. Loved him, cared for him, and buried him.....
Jim's other stallion, the great El Brillante - multiple champion, so great that he was retired when other stallions started not showing up when he was entered! I used to absolutely love bringing out Brillo, swinging easily down the barn lane, to then see him spot - oh my! VISITORS!!!! and then have him magically levitate, literally flying next to me. What a stud! That was a real kick in the pants. He was incredible to ride, so powerful he could quite literally move out from under you going forward.

*Tornado..... a big little horse, I actually got to RIDE him in his dotage.... bareback, with his old show bridle, encrusted in sterling with that magnificent spade bit. He was a "sewing thread" horse, you held the rein steady, balanced the romal, and THOUGHT about where and to what degree you wanted him to stop or turn. He was a real trip.

Mi Toska, one of the most beautiful mares I have ever seen, and a multiple Champion. I cared for her as a broodmare, one of the Chauncey Arabians band. Had to move about thirty mares to different graze one day, and did it by haltering two or three and riding one to lead the others - snaffle in a simple headstall and bareback, thinking these were all old show mares, broke to death. Toska did get tired toward the end of the day, heavy in foal. so I hitched a ride back for the last three - all young mares working on their first foal. I knew one had a leg injury and another was not broke, so jumped on #3 - figured she must have been a driving horse or something as no neck rein on her at all. We made it over safely and turned them all out. Found out later she had never been broke at all! I was ponying off an unbroke five year old, bareback.... :eek:

[chemteach]

On the Arabian theme,

Bey Shah
Wisdom
A Love Note
Amaal
Serenity Sonbolah

Serenity Sonbolah was the sweetest mare!

Spent some time at Nicasio Valley with Bey Shah, way before he went to Midwest. A very tall stallion.

[DLee]

[QUOTE=Daydream Believer;2569793]



I was at Potomac Horse Center when Grant Schniedman had The Flying Dutchman there as well.
QUOTE]

Hey, me too!! When were you there? I got my AI there in the fall of 1980...

[ThirdCharm]

I groomed and saddled Watch Me (Michael Poulin's dressage stallion) and took Graf George's braids out (years before he went to the Olympics).

Jennifer

[Daydream Believer]

Hey, me too!! When were you there? I got my AI there in the fall of 1980...

Let me think...it was 1982-83 that I was there...first for my AI, then my Horsemasters and then I went on to work for Hilda. I think we may have just missed each other!

[DoubleClick]

Thanks to the wonderful hospitality of the KY TB farms, I got to pet and feed Unbridled peppermints, spend some time with the legendary Danzig (my friend and I were the only ones on the tour, and we got to talking with the stallion handler, so Danzig just hung out with us for awhile, getting pets), meet Nureyev and see the incredible personal barn and breeding facility built just for him, meet and pet Monarchos while he, ummm, pleasured himself while we were petting him in the driveway...trying to think who else, but I whacked my head really hard on a stall this morning at the Han. inspection and still can't see or think straight! Oh, fed Custom Made, the eventer, at his retirement party at the Rolex.

[RHdobes563]

Have also visited Spectacular Bid (perhaps more influential as a show horse than race horse progenitor thanks to the success of his son, Mytens, and others), Conquistador Cielo (who seems to be making a mark on the breeding of colored sport horses!), Nijinsky, Secretariat, Appalachee...

Fish, do you remember anything about Appalachee? He was the sire of my Thoroughbred gelding, registered initially as Appalookee and then later changed (not by me) to Arbor Gate. My gelding had really good bone, a pretty darn good disposition, and I miss him like crazy. (I re-homed him last year.)

I want to buy the Morgan horse of my dreams but there are grandchildren of Appalachee racing here (sired by Grand Circus Park), and I nearly bought one last year out of sentimentality. Now, if one of them were retired SOUND, I might be VERY tempted...

[Waterwitch]

I saw Skip Away at Hopewell Farm and got myself all excited only to find out that he hates people looking at him in his stall. He actually had to be tied at the back of his stall while we were there to keep him from charging with all his teeth hanging out. :(

Well that blows my fantasy TB breeding (as IF I could afford it!). :lol:
That horse is GORGEOUS and I love his pedigree.

[Dannie0303]

I was in France when I was about 13 and I was with my trainer at Eric Navet's barn trying horses. While she was talking to him a friendly critter was licking me and I was feeding him peppermints. It turns out it was Quidam de Revel :eek:

[Remarkable_Shadow]

I nearly forgot about this, I was doing a demo for the battle of the breeds at Spruce on my welsh cob and we were walking down to the warm up ring when a very large pair, the rider wearing a bright yellow and red jacket and the horse just a giant anyway caused all three ponies going to the warm up ring to stop and stare. Low and behold, it was Ian Millar and Promise Me. The joke, between all of us, Ian Millar included was that those ponies had no idea that horses could come that big. Haha

[lauriep]

I have two that I think were special. In 1968, I arrived at the farm where I rode for my lesson, only to be told we were going on a field trip instead. Lo and behold, the 1968 (Mexico City) Olympic show jumping horses were en route home, via horse van, and had stopped over at a well known horsewoman, and USET supporter's, farm. We were going to meet these wonderful horses, including Snowbound. It was a thrill I will never forget.

Then, in Feb. of '06, I went to visit my friend, Michael Matz, at his winter quarters in Del Ray. A very, very friendly bay horse, with a huge star and cute snip, kept demanding my attention, so I gave it to him. He was hugely sweet, no biting, nothing. Turns out his name was Barbaro.

[DLee]

Let me think...it was 1982-83 that I was there...first for my AI, then my Horsemasters and then I went on to work for Hilda. I think we may have just missed each other!

Dang, so close! My horses were Sigh and Breeze (who bit me but good, picked me up actually), instructors were Laura Buck, Nancy (?), Cathy (?) and Grant... any of those still there for you? Ah... Memory Lane!

[acottongim]

I saw Skip Away at Hopewell Farm and got myself all excited only to find out that he hates people looking at him in his stall. He actually had to be tied at the back of his stall while we were there to keep him from charging with all his teeth hanging out. :( Kris S has to be the kindest stallion I'd ever met - very curious and totally relaxed.

How interesting... I have a Diplomat Way granddaughter and she and her son are both the same way... very delightful animals outside of their stalls, but in their stall, that is "their" space and down time and leave them alone unless you are bringing feed/water etc!

As for "famous" horses... for the life of me I can't remember the name (how dumb is this??) but I pet and got to see David O'Conner's gold medal mount Also a few other of their string that year... My friend Michelle in Southern Pines boards horses occasionally and eons ago Amy Tyron was there with her horses too.

[Daydream Believer]

Dang, so close! My horses were Sigh and Breeze (who bit me but good, picked me up actually), instructors were Laura Buck, Nancy (?), Cathy (?) and Grant... any of those still there for you? Ah... Memory Lane!

I took care of Cool Play and Hilarious initially and then eventually did mostly boarders. I loved old Gossip...do you remember him? I rode under Laura and Cathy and Grant...I don't recall a Nancy at that time.

I don't remember Breeze but I certainly do remember Sigh, the Hungarian TB mare. We tried to turn her out a couple of times and she'd jump the fence and go back in her stall. ;)

I should mention that I will be in Lexington, KY (where I see you are from) not this weekend but next weekend to ride at KHP in the Parade of Breeds. We are hauling our rare breed stallion there to be a "guest breed" in the Park. Are you close to KHP?

[La Gringa]

As a Jr rider I got to ride a couple of world cup GP jumpers. Hap's Maybe and Gambrinus (back in the 80's) I often felt I was walking on air around that barn with the horses he had there, and he let us Jr's ride them!!

Cloud 9 for a teenager, to say the least.

[Milocalwinnings]

I worked at coth'er "Sid"'s barn for 4 months (unfortunatly it was too long of a drive- otherwise I would have loved to keep working there!) and frequently groomed Boleem :D He's such a sweet heart and loves his "groomies!"

[Fairview Horse Center]

I also was at Potomac Horse Center and saw Flying Dutchman. I just went there to visit my friend who ran the Horsemaster's Program. Cathy Casey (she may have been Cathy Hastings at that point). Caroline Jordan was there at that time too in the program.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I also kind of sideswiped greatness. The lady that bred Touch of Class had her full sister, and she bred her to Nevada. It was so cool to meet her breeder.

[Dazednconfused]

AM Sea Captain, Magnum Psyche, Marwan al Shaqab, Foxfire BHF, Pprovidence, Alada Baskin, Psymadre, Hucklebey Berry, Justafire DGL, Besson Carol, Gazal, Al-Marah Quebec, Nations PSY, Magnum Chall HVP, Elandra, *El Dorada, Pianissima, Wkra...nobody famous in the sporthorse world I'm afraid though! Oh - and WGC Revival (ASB stallion).

[Perfect Pony]

Here's me with one of the best mare's EVER
http://www.fototime.com/%7B0996A863-4E98-4899-8945-667C2CA3E244%7D/picture.JPG
(for those who don't know who that is, it's Lady's Secret :) )

I worked the Keeneland sales during the Klein dispurasal, I also got to handle Winning Colors, it was amazing!

I also got to meet Seattle Slew personally, he even made faces for the camera!
http://www.fototime.com/%7BF87222CF-5382-4BFE-B176-C38E089B2C57%7D/picture.JPG

Secretariat easn't too friendly
http://www.fototime.com/%7B8C072343-252B-45ED-A4DE-D38C31D9B99C%7D/picture.JPG

But the Bid was!
http://www.fototime.com/%7B38F7DC90-DD1D-4E31-B677-09AF74A3D35C%7D/picture.JPG

Those were just a few around while I was in Kentucky that I scanned. It was a good time to be there.

[dressagetraks]

I've seen several on farm tours and KHP, including Forego and Sham. But the only one I really touched was John Henry. 1987, I got a trip to the Derby as a graduation present (Alysheba!). Went down two days early and went to the KHP. Not at all busy that day; the attendant said Friday before Derby Day is hectic, but that Thursday was pretty dead, so we got the "long" version. I got to pat John on the neck. Got a picture of me with him. He was very condescending and above all of this, and I don't think he even looked at me. Still, it's a nice shot.

My mother, now in early Alzheimer's disease and sometimes unable to remember names of kids, pets, and current horses (she lives in my back yard and so sees my heese regularly), still remembers John Henry clearly from this 1987 visit. She was the other ticket in my 2-ticket graduation package at the Derby. She didn't pat him, didn't really know much about him, as her racing knowledged ended with the fact that the Kentucky Derby was a big horse race, but his attitude stuck with her, and to this day, if you mention John, she says, "Oh, yes, we saw him on our trip. I'm not sure who that horse was, but HE sure knew."

[ambar]

Khemosabi. *happy sigh* He was 32 that year, I think, and aside from the frost over his eyebrows and a slightly low back, one wouldn't have known.

[DLee]

I should mention that I will be in Lexington, KY (where I see you are from) not this weekend but next weekend to ride at KHP in the Parade of Breeds. We are hauling our rare breed stallion there to be a "guest breed" in the Park. Are you close to KHP?

That would be cool, we will have to come over! He is lovely btw!

That is too funny, my friend Ursula also had Hilarious and Cool Play, I wonder if they were a package, lol.

FHC, yes it was Cathy Hastings, thank you!

I will always be sad I didn't stay and get at least my HM. :( Those were fun days!

[foxhavenfarm]

TEDDY!!!!! I gave him a cookie and a pat at Rocking Horse stables this past winter. What a cool pony!:yes:

[Daydream Believer]

That would be cool, we will have to come over! He is lovely btw!

That is too funny, my friend Ursula also had Hilarious and Cool Play, I wonder if they were a package, lol.

FHC, yes it was Cathy Hastings, thank you!

I will always be sad I didn't stay and get at least my HM. :( Those were fun days!

Thanks, I hope you can stop in for a visit! I'd love to meet another Cother and Potomac person! I have a picture somewhere of me holding Hilarious and Cool Play together...I should dig it out and scan it in.

Those were some fun days...some very fond memories from Potomac. I remember our "death rides" where we'd all get on a schoolie and follow Laura Buck across country over coops and solid jumps. I know the old Cross Country field and the big pastures are under condos now. I went back about 5-7 years ago and it was sad to see what was left of the place. :(

[pwynnnorman]

I wouldn't put Ted in the same category as most of these...yet!

I met Spectacular Bid--what a gorgeous animal. What a hunter sire he could have been.

And while this isn't greatness, it is a "loose" brush with it (from my eyes): There's an ancient but GORGEOUS, black with white markings, OWN DAUGHTER of Cottage Son (I got that name right, didn't I? The German TB stallion that had such an impact on WBs?) at my vet's barn right now! Gosh how I wish I could see her move!

[Sonesta]

Mostly Arabain greats. Spent quite a lot of time at the McNairs with Morafic and Sakr and Tammen. Rode Medeen a few times.

[scottishgirl]

Ive patted Milton and Desert Orchid!

Milton was the coolest, very friendly and tiny (well, smaller than you would expect)

ETA just looked him up, and hes tagged as a PB arab?!! http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/milton8 ..odd

[Erin Pittman]

Well that blows my fantasy TB breeding (as IF I could afford it!). :lol:
That horse is GORGEOUS and I love his pedigree.

Sorry to squash your dream.... I was pretty bummed to find it, too. We did see him get a massage and he LOVED his masseuse! :yes: I kinda felt sorry for him - people can be awfully nice so it makes me wonder what made him that way.

[avery]

I have to throw in one for the sake of the girls, even though its not such a big deal: I rode LA Rose of Sweden once. She is an imported dressage-trained Premium Elite broodmare who impacted Swedish warmblood breeding in North America. I also pet Baltic Inspiration on the same trip to Los Alamos. Inspiration was very impressive and powerful when perform at Devon, but in the wash stall surrounded by all the doting stable girls, he looked like a big bay pony...just so cute and sweet.

I pet Gem Twist when the National horse show was at the Meadowlands. He definitely had an ego, but he deserved to.

I got a few entertaining emails from Windfall himself! ;)

I've seen a lot of famous horses in person because I go to the Belmont, Devon, and I used to go to the National before it moved to Florida. I'm not going to list them all.

[Ladybug Hill]

When I was still a horse crazed teenager I took a lesson in a stable in Venice Florida. Walter Farley (author of The Black Stallion) boarded his chestnut Arabian mare there and I got to see her. I would have rather have met him! I did look his name up in the local phone book. My mom told me to call him, but of course I didn't!

[Nikki^]

I (Also a little bit of interesting info IMHO-Secretariat won the Triple Crown the day I was born :D)

Me too, but the year was 73 and I am a 77 model :p

[wannabegifted]

I got to hang out and graze Eagle Lion for BD when he was at chesterland.... rode Little Tricky, Jam (the mare he rides now), when she was 3, Rode memorial Cap, Squires Cap (probably still my favorite horse of all time), Twist and Shout, Lion King, and a few other advanced horses he had around.

[AppJumpr08]

Awwww Ave!! She's such a love :)

I knew all the horses Wannabegifted mentioned... though MY all time favorite was the big Irish stallion High Scope... I took him on tons of trot sets in 01/02... while he was legging up for Rolex. God I sobbed when he died.

:sadsmile:

[Hi Jump]

Dressagetraks, I think you were blessed to have that day and have this memory of you can still share with your Mom.

Well I like to think I brush greatness daily , and I do mean that. Too many simply do not even recognize a great horse unless it has had the opportunity to be established as such. For instance a few years back when Capone was failed for breeding approval by AHHA and there was no money to keep him, I use to stuff hay bales in my car and drive to the barn to keep him fed, and we kept him alive when no one else supported him. I could count the breeders that bred to him then on one hand, and one is dbaygirl who has a stallion son of his, Chocolat. Maybe she brushes greatness daily too and it is not yet realized by others? Now lots of people recognize Capone as a great horse.
Anyways, I have two stallions that have not had the opportunity I would wish for them , yet. One is a Holsteiner Verband approved stallion Cotopaxi was bought out of a Lein Act sale from Monty Roberts farm. A week ago Sunday he finished double clear in the Gienow Cup at the North American week of Spruce Meadows, only 2/10ths of a second from first. So maybe one day ....

Synergy Sport Horses
http://www.synergysporthorses.net

[Reds-n-Greys]

I never brushed him, but a long time ago I got to meet Nautical. My sister, as captain for the winning team at the PC rally got to lead him into the ring for the awards ceremony..we still have the pictures in my mom's living room.:winkgrin:

My other sister had an AUS TB that had been purchased for the US team but then his groom bought him named Chakola...I got to feed, and switch blankets, stc....but never got to sit on him:(

but my closest brush with greatness would have been Abundance. We lived just up the street from Skyline Farm nad got to see him and many, many of his youngins...Stars and Stripes was one of my favorites

[llsc]

I went to the Devon Horse Show when I was 10 and had just started riding. I was in love with all the ponies and my mom asked someone if I could pet the pony they were holding. He not only let me pet her, but I brushed the poor thing until her hair fell out while wating for her class. The little white pony mare was named Snowgoose.

[cuonxc]

For the TBs

Got to meet Lady's Secret at the Keeneland sale (got a pic with her) :)

Kissed My Flag's cheek -she had a foal at her side at the time -turned out to be Storm Flag Flying! Also got to meet Inside information.

Got to meet Mr Prospector -groom was awesome and let me get a pic with him. He then gave me one of his whiskers -he said he knew how much it would mean to me.

Patted Danzig, Unbridled & Horse Chestnut at Claiborne. Spent some time with Fly so Free (my all time fav) at Three Chimneys.

Writing this makes me realize how kind people have been by allowing such access to these wonderful horses.

I was a groom at 2 Rolex 3 day events as well as Blenheim -saw a lot of wonderful horses and riders each time -I was in awe!

[Ririe1]

We were at the Sussex Farm and Horse show many moons ago and were stabled next to Beacon Hill. The grooms let us help with Dillon, Lion In Winter and Playing Games.. I was much more impressed with the horses then meeting Paul Newman ( he was there to watch Clea ride)..

[Neighland]

Super cool to the poster that handled Winning Colors!! The closest I've come to greatness in racing is the tour at Three CHimney's, Point Given, Smarty, Albert.....

Although my claim to fame is I owned Millpond Celebrity from the time he was a week or two old till he was three, he was the top pony in the country last time I looked, but I think he's dropped a bit now. :D:D:D

[Jaegermonster]

At the American Invitational one year I was back in the barns and had my picture taken with Gem Twist, Rhum IV and Katie Monahan (who was very nice even though she was preparing to ride).

[vxf111]

I am actually crying at work as I read this... so many of you have been in the presence of such greatness :)

I went horse shopping at The Barracks and got to meet and pet one of my all time favorite stallions, Aristos B

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y192/vxf111/Somerset/AristosB.jpg

And then ended up purchasing his son, who is absolutely wonderful and the light of my life, Somerset...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y192/vxf111/Somerset/SomersetVeronicaStandJuly12007.jpg

I felt incredibly lucky to meet Aristos B in the flesh. He's an amazing horse.

[EquineLVR]

My two touches - one with a very famous Arabian stallion named Muscat - I worked as his groom for 6 months. Amazing stallion.

I also got to meet Coconut Grove xx - and hung with him and Tamara for several hours about a month ago. He really is the real deal.

[Centerline Farm]

I used to go to the International Horseshow in Washington years ago... and I got to meet Ahlerich (spelling?) when he and Klimke were there for a demonstration.

I also got my picture taken with the horse that played the Black Stallion in the movies. They had you stand next to him, but you were not allowed to touch him!!
I don't think he was really a stallion though. I cannot remember it has been so long.

So although I didn't touch either one, at least I got to see them!!

[f4leggin]

I have a picture of me holding Cor De La Breye (don't know if I spelled that right). Not a great picture - but I was certainly impressed.

Jill

[Flypony]

As a Jr rider I got to ride a couple of world cup GP jumpers. Hap's Maybe and Gambrinus (back in the 80's) I often felt I was walking on air around that barn with the horses he had there, and he let us Jr's ride them!!

Cloud 9 for a teenager, to say the least.
I got to flat Gambrinus as well, I used to ride him in the mandatory eq. lesson every thursday. That is when Alan Brand had him, we called him Teddy:)

[fooler]

I held Bally Cor at the Head of the Lake at the 1978 World Championships while Tad Coffin and Ann Hardaway (can't remember her married name now) removed the broken running martingale.

Got to hold and graze a really cool Advanced stallion named Epic Win. After my instructor assured Denny I could handle the horse. . .

[ShowMeTheGlory]

I had an interview at Bonita Farm and got to see Deputed Testimony and Mojave Moon.
Was in Florida this past winter with my boss in the same barn as Lars Peterson and hung out with Success and Dacardo. Also Tunny Paige's Wild One.

[honeylips]

Weltmeyer
Werther
Londonderry
Lauries Crusader
Prince Thatch
Warkant
Wansuela Suerte

Have spent time with all of them.

Werther was so old, almost blind, and had a funny hanging ear.
Weltmeyer is much smaller than I had thought
Londonderry very charming and easy to be around, likes to eat his blankets
Prince Thatch was a gentleman
Lauries Crusader is nippy!
Wansuela is a lovely mare, regal and confident in herself.