Mary in Area 1
Jan. 13, 2009, 11:47 PM
In loving memory of PUCK, 1988-2009
It is with heavy hearts that we must tell you that our wonderful friend, partner, soulmate and confidant, Puck, passed over the Rainbow Bridge today. He was a very sound, spunky and happy 21 years old, and he was still jumping and doing tempi changes (sometimes just whenever he felt like it.)
Puck died doing what he loved most--playing in the snow with one of his buddies. An unfortunate moment of exuberance shattered his right foreleg. Luckily it was witnessed, and he was attended to immediately. He finished a bag of carrots waiting for the vet and never suffered. As his breath left his body, we all looked up to watch a beautiful red-tailed hawk circle his paddock silently and fly away. He was buried by sundown.
Although most people thought he was a warmblood, Puck was a full Thoroughbred bred for the track. Although he did race, he gained his fame in the sport of Eventing. Cricket Potter bought and trained him, with Stephie Baer's help, through the Intermediate level. He successfully completed five Long Format 3-day Events, winning the CCI* at Bromont in 1999. His winning record with Cricket, Amanda Cossette, Brita Gaffey and Jackie Piro was amazing. His dressage was always stellar, and he jumped with great consistency and enthusiasm, if not with the greatest scope.
His athletic feats were all the more impressive since Puck's "born on the bit" frame was not from training but from an congenital malformation of his neck (his C1 and C2 vertebrae were completely fused, and C2 and C3 were partially fused.) This lack of mobility must have certainly impeded his balance and ability, but it never interfered with his great heart and love of sport.
Puck's life was not without drama, and in 2005 he survived the fire that completely destroyed Pirouette Farm in Norwich, Vermont. In fact, his steady presence helped to lead his friend and fellow eventer, Alibi, to safety. In the last few years, he has been ridden and loved by a number of people who learned a great deal from The Professor: Nick Desany, Morgan Kraine, Johanna Bozuwa, Leyna Hoyt and Karuna Rockwell. With the expert guidance and affection of his long-time coach, Jane Hamlin, Puck became the King of the schooling show, and was a formidable competitor on the Vermont circuit.
Puck had a few injuries along his journey, and his feet were never the best, but he looked great when Jackie rode him this weekend and he was to have jumped in a lesson this week. Much of his vigor is a testament to the loving care of all his owners and the insightful and empathetic veterinary preventative care of Dr. Mary Kahan and farrier care of Steve Torode and Phil McLaughlin.
Puck was really a legend of sorts in New England, and when we thought about how many people should be notified of his passing, we realized how many lives he had really enriched. His small, fuzzy ears, double whorl, and begging foreleg will be remembered by his many fans, and the feel of his soft, warm nuzzle will continue to bring tears to our eyes for many years to come.
Godspeed Puck. You were well loved by us all.
It is with heavy hearts that we must tell you that our wonderful friend, partner, soulmate and confidant, Puck, passed over the Rainbow Bridge today. He was a very sound, spunky and happy 21 years old, and he was still jumping and doing tempi changes (sometimes just whenever he felt like it.)
Puck died doing what he loved most--playing in the snow with one of his buddies. An unfortunate moment of exuberance shattered his right foreleg. Luckily it was witnessed, and he was attended to immediately. He finished a bag of carrots waiting for the vet and never suffered. As his breath left his body, we all looked up to watch a beautiful red-tailed hawk circle his paddock silently and fly away. He was buried by sundown.
Although most people thought he was a warmblood, Puck was a full Thoroughbred bred for the track. Although he did race, he gained his fame in the sport of Eventing. Cricket Potter bought and trained him, with Stephie Baer's help, through the Intermediate level. He successfully completed five Long Format 3-day Events, winning the CCI* at Bromont in 1999. His winning record with Cricket, Amanda Cossette, Brita Gaffey and Jackie Piro was amazing. His dressage was always stellar, and he jumped with great consistency and enthusiasm, if not with the greatest scope.
His athletic feats were all the more impressive since Puck's "born on the bit" frame was not from training but from an congenital malformation of his neck (his C1 and C2 vertebrae were completely fused, and C2 and C3 were partially fused.) This lack of mobility must have certainly impeded his balance and ability, but it never interfered with his great heart and love of sport.
Puck's life was not without drama, and in 2005 he survived the fire that completely destroyed Pirouette Farm in Norwich, Vermont. In fact, his steady presence helped to lead his friend and fellow eventer, Alibi, to safety. In the last few years, he has been ridden and loved by a number of people who learned a great deal from The Professor: Nick Desany, Morgan Kraine, Johanna Bozuwa, Leyna Hoyt and Karuna Rockwell. With the expert guidance and affection of his long-time coach, Jane Hamlin, Puck became the King of the schooling show, and was a formidable competitor on the Vermont circuit.
Puck had a few injuries along his journey, and his feet were never the best, but he looked great when Jackie rode him this weekend and he was to have jumped in a lesson this week. Much of his vigor is a testament to the loving care of all his owners and the insightful and empathetic veterinary preventative care of Dr. Mary Kahan and farrier care of Steve Torode and Phil McLaughlin.
Puck was really a legend of sorts in New England, and when we thought about how many people should be notified of his passing, we realized how many lives he had really enriched. His small, fuzzy ears, double whorl, and begging foreleg will be remembered by his many fans, and the feel of his soft, warm nuzzle will continue to bring tears to our eyes for many years to come.
Godspeed Puck. You were well loved by us all.