in-memory-of show name for my new hunter? UPDATE and final decision with pics, page 2

[GGsuperpony]

I need show name suggestions. A horse I have coveted for years just became available - and affordable - and now he is mine! I am ecstatic, and now I need a show name.

But here's the caveat: my older brother died very unexpectedly three months ago. And since a great deal on this horse fell into my lap so fortuitously, I would like to honor my brother somehow with the name. So here are details of brother and horse, as well as my ideas. I would love to hear your suggestions!

My brother's name is John Miller Conn, junior. He went by Miller since John is our father's name. He was 29, married, two children. His daughter is six, his son is seven months old. He died on November 13, 2008, in the evening at home.

My brother was a Russian linguist for the military for five years (all he was allowed to tell us was that his job involved "listening to a lot of radio static" - some kind of crazy top secret stuff, although, according to him "very boring"). He was trained at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, California, and he graduated at the top of his class.

He got out of the military a couple of years ago, bought a house near Athens, Georgia, and applied to and was accepted by the University of Georgia's law school. He was halfway through his first semester when he died.

He was a brilliant artist and musician. Yes, I am biased, but he really did have a lot of talent. His band's name is the Sonic Consortium. He not-so-secretly wanted to be a rock star. A preppy-ish, lawyering, drum-circle-playing rock star. :lol:

So something Russian, something about drums (he has these huge ethnic-looking drums all over the house), something about a budding legal education?

And here is horse info:

Charlie, registered Caballero
16'3.5 dark bay Hanoverian (pictures and a video below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyq4kn5_0K4 - trot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSuROY9C8NM# - canter (turn sound off if you don't want to hear my giggling!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/juneyencer/Charlie# - photos


So my name ideas:

Thirteenth of Always
Pravda (russian newspaper)

The following are transliterated Russian words that might be okay:

Novosti (news)
Molodo (young)
Milaya Moya (my sweet)
Vecher (evening)

Anyway, sorry this is long. I cut out as much as I could about my brother. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[ybiaw]

What about something more specific to your brother, like "Radio Static" or "Miller's Honor" or something like that?

[War Admiral]

What a loving tribute to your brother. I am very sorry for your loss. :(

What about a song title from his band? "Dreamcatcher", "All It Took" or "October Song" ...?

Lion's Roar - it's a type of percussion instrument

Kokiriko - it's another

I must say I like "Miller's Honor" though!

[lcw579]

Millers Crossing was the first thing that came to my mind.

I like Millers Honor too.

You could always name him after your brother's band: Sonic Consortium. Offbeat but I kind of like it.

I am so sorry for your loss. I think naming your horse for your brother is a lovely idea.

[jen-s]

Sounds like you've got some great options. I personally like "Thirteen of Always" the best, but only if you aren't superstitious about that number. The Russian names are great, but I can only imagine how they would get butchered over the loud-speaker at a show! "Sonic Consortium" and "Radio Static" are fun too though.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[GGsuperpony]

Dreamcatcher is my favorite song now. Sadly, I never heard any of his music until after he died.

By the way, if you found the myspace page he is the one in the cowboy hat in their picture. Also he is the one singing in Dreamcatcher and in Lit Fuse.

I like Miller's Honor too but I need to think hard on whether that might make me cry in the ring...!

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em coming!

[lcw579]

Brainstorming here:

The Russian Linguist

Russian Lawyer

Musical Language (or Linguist)

Musical Lawyer

Drumming Russian

Singing Lawyer

Singing Russian

Charlie Miller (who doesn't like a horse with a last name? Worked for Teddy O'C)

Russian Miller

[GGsuperpony]

Musical Language (or Linguist)

That made me think about Lyrical Linguist instead? I will put that one on the list!

Thanks for the brainstorming!

[ybiaw]

I like Miller's Honor too but I need to think hard on whether that might make me cry in the ring...!



Instead of thinking how it might make you cry, think of how PROUD it will make you. :sadsmile: I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine.

((hugs))

[MyGiantPony]

The first thing that came to mind for me was

It's Miller Time

I'm betting your brother had a good sense of humor, so it doesn't seem inappropriate.

Avocat is Russian for lawyer.

Some "spy" words:

Black Propaganda
Clandestine
Double Agent
Encryption
Espionage
Fortezza - which would be really good, considering his military work - it's a digital communications encryptor
Music Box (a radio transmitter)
Tradecraft

[War Admiral]

Fortezza - which would be really good, considering his military work - it's a digital communications encryptor
Music Box (a radio transmitter)


I LOVE that one!!! :yes:

[GGsuperpony]

GiantPony, thanks! Those are great!

[Melzy]

Sincere condolences on the loss of your brother. He sounded like a great guy. Obviously, you were very close to him to want to name your new horse in his memory.

Miller's Secret Beat
Radio Spy
Sonic's Drummer

[Instant Karma]

So sorry for your loss:( What a nice way to honor your brother's memory.

I really like MGP's idea of "Miller Time". And what about simply "John Miller".

Some one word ones:
Miller
Linguistic
Remembrance

And of course, any of his band's songs would be fitting as well.

Good luck with your new boy!

[Come Shine]

Condolences.

What a lovely tribute though.

Dreamcatcher seems fitting.

[TwoDreamRides]

I was thinking Miller's Time .. as opposed to It's Miller Time

[RumoursFollow]

Love Fortezza.. thats a great one and not impossible to pronounce.

I got a horse right after my dad passed away when I was in college. My dad had been a military pilot and kept a frame in his office of a poem a pilot in WWII wrote .. "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth/And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,/Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth/Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things/You have not dreamed of...And, while silent, lifting mind I've trod/The high untrespassed sanctity of space,/Put out my hand, and touched the face of God." You can read the whole thing here: http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/g-l/hiflite.shtml

I named him "High Flight" in memory of my dad, and actually even had the poem written and kept in my helmet all the years I showed that horse. Even though I sold him on- he was very special to me because of that connection that I had with him to my dad.

Is there a song or poem that your brother (especially since he was a musician) liked especially or that reminds you of him that you could name the horse after?

[ShannonH93]

How about something like,

'Own Drummer' - as in marches to the beat of his own drum

I like 'Avocat' too, as well as 'Fortezza'


Once again, I'm sorry for you loss, and this is such a sweet thing to do!

[galwaybay]

I'm sorry for your loss and what a lovely tribute to your brother... something will come to you - particularly when it seems you think about it the least. Seems like the more you think about it the goofier names come up. You have some good ones here to pick from... what kind of discipline will you be showing in? There are some names that seem more suited for hunters and some more for jumpers..sometimes the best names are the least obvious..

My trainer became a widow at the tender age of 29 her husband killed in a car accident... sometimes after his death she bought a lovely mare which she aptly named Starting Over...

[MILOUTE55]

Avocat is Russian for lawyer.


Actually "avocat" is French and means both lawyer and avocado... so I'm not sure you want to go this way.

What about "Ever Miller"? ... I'm not sure it makes as much sense as I think it does, but I like the sound of it.

So sorry for your terrible loss. This is a sweet idea you've had to pay your brother a nice tribute.

[MyGiantPony]

Actually "avocat" is French and means both lawyer and avocado... so I'm not sure you want to go this way.



Yes, it's French, but it's also the phonetic spelling of the Russian word - адвокат.

[GGsuperpony]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and all your great ideas. I miss him all the time so I really appreciate your thinking of me.

Rumours, thanks for your idea about the poetry. I found some and included them in the list below.

My favorites so far:

Thirteenth of Always
Lyrical Linguist
Miller's Crossing
Fortezza
Sang the Sun (from "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas, after whom my brother's son is named)
No Dominion (another Thomas poem)
Never and Forever (from an e. e. cummings poem, another of his favorites)
Secret Beat

I guess I'll just have to keep narrowing it down. Coming up with a list is the easy part, I guess!

But if anyone has any more to add, of course, feel free. I have a couple weeks to decide... Thanks again for all your input, everyone...

[Instant Karma]

OOOOH I like "Sang the Sun"!

[pwrply]

I really like "Sang the Sun"

I recently was in a similar position. I have lost both my parents at a relatively young age. Through an unplanned series of events, a horse that I thought I could never possibly own became available to me. (I think maybe my mom and dad had a little to do with that...)

As a tribute to my parents, I named him "Remember When". I am famous (or maybe it's infamous) for storytelling of the years past. I don't know if anyone else likes the name, but every time I hear it, I think of my parents and all the wonderful times we had.

Good luck with your choice. You will pick the "right" name. My Sympathies to you and your family.

[Seven-up]

I don't have any name suggestions, but I just wanted to offer my condolences. I probably wouldn't have even posted, except my brother went to DLI too, several years ago. Small world.

[Showpony]

I vote for Miller's Crossing.

[Small Change]

What about just plain "Remembrance," or is that too simple?

[Iron Horse Farm]

I vote for Miller's Crossing.

make it two!

It sounds sooo fitting.

[Andrew]

Millers Honor ...... hands down......

[Applesauce]

I really love Sang The Sun. Very unique. I also really like Miller's Crossing. Great suggestions you have, that's for sure.

Let us know what you choose.

[HunterJumper106]

Definitely between Miller's Honor and Miller's Crossing for me. I think that is a great way to really pay tribute to your brother and everytime you hear it you will know he is smiling down on you in the show ring.

[GGsuperpony]

So I decided on a name: Sang the Sun.

Here is where it's from (stanza only, you can find entire poem online):

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

Wild men caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.


Here is a link to a picture of my new horse, barn name Charlie, new show name Sang the Sun:

Charlie headshot (http://picasaweb.google.com/juneyencer/CharlieMarch2009#5311546633653967922)

And a picture of my brother, too, since I didn't post one before:

Miller at DLA graduation (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32242598&l=14907&id=22608014) (it is a facebook pic but I swear it is supposed to work for everyone!)

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. We are going to our first show this weekend and I am so excited. Maybe if I get any good pics I will put some up later.

Thanks again for all your help, guys. :)

[kashmere]

Handsome horse, and very handsome brother :) "Sang the Sun" is a great name; beautiful, and a very subtle (but fitting) tribute to your brother.

Thanks for sharing his story with us. I hope the name brings you some luck in the ring!

[Sightunseen]

I really like Dreamcatcher. It is about both the horse and you brother, given that you sound like you've been pining for this qt!!!!

[kid rock]

I love the name, Brother. It needs nothing else, you could call him Miller for his barn name.

[ValleyMom]

"Sang the Sun" was my favorite. Perfect! So sorry about your brother. I lost my mother suddenly this past year and still miss her everyday. Good luck at the show.

[pwrply]

What a wonderful name and tribute! Best of Luck this weekend. I am sure your brother will be there with you...

[Noctis]

Best of luck to you! What a LOVELY horse, and a handsome loving looking brother. *hugs* I lost 2 of my brothers, and its just hard. What a loving tribute.