Cross post: Boleem passed away today

[sid]

I posted on the Breeders' forum, but wanted to also share on this forum, because there are some here that remember "Bo" from his illustrious career days with Sharon Poulin. He was a performance stallion first, breeding stallion much later in life!

As I recall from a thread from a few years back there were an amazing number of people that posted about watching Sharon compete him, and a few others who actually rode him as working students for the Poulins.

Just wanted to let those individuals know my sad news of losing this wonderful, wonderful competitor and friend.

[egontoast]

Sad news. Condolences on the loss of your lovely stallion.

[MEP]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[canyonoak]

You gave that stallion such a wonderful home and it seems that you had such a great friendship with him.

Condolences on his loss, but am sure he is over The Bridge, telling all there what a great human he has left on the other side.

[slc2]

Oh no. Sweet old man.

[sid]

slc2 -- you know, what's the hardest about this?

"Old man" stuff. Sure I knew he was old. But every day, he physically looked liked a 12 year old and acted like a 6 yr. old competitor until the very end. Horses like this have "heart", as well as physical prowess. Hard to describe.

His blessing and mine was that he was this way until the end. Probably all in the genes..:yes:

[in_the_zone]

Sorry to hear. My condolences.

[slc2]

No one ever bore his years as gracefully as Boleem. I should never have said old man without saying grand old man, he was the definition of the phrase.

I am looking at a picture of Sharon Poulin riding him right now. I am so sad for you, can't keep from crying just thinking of how magnificent he was.

[hoser1]

Susan, I am so sorry to hear about Boleem. What a beautiful and stately gentleman he was - I will always remember his huge, soft eyes and how he loved having you scratch his back. Hugs for you and I hope some of your good memories of your years together will temper the sadness.

[esdressage]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. He was spectacular.

[whicker]

I am sorry to read of Boleem's passing. How old was he? I had one of his sons. Bo was so kind.

[Coreene]

Oh Susan, I am so sorry. Godspeed to a great, great horse - how lucky he was to have you. :sadsmile:

[Reynard Ridge]

Condolences on the passing of such a grand horse.

I was lucky enough to have been able to ride him a few times when he was still quite young, prior to his time with the Poulin's. What gracious fellow he was.

[claire]

Susan,

I am so sorry.

Boleem was such a grand little man with a big heart and gaits to match!

As I have told you, Boleem was one of the first GP performances I had seen that made me go 'Aaaah, so THAT'S what horse sport is about!"

(Until then only a great H/J round had given me that feeling ;) )

Thank you for sharing him with me, his dvd is among my favorites.

God Speed Bo, You have touched many hearts!

[Pookah]

So sorry to hear that!!! I always thought he was such a wonderful horse, and so lucky to have found his way to you!

[JoeIsMyHorse]

I'm so sorry to hear that. My Boleem baby is really 10, but he's my baby. I get compliments on him wherever we go. He's the kindest horse I know and definitely my once-in-a-lifetime guy. His name is Sun of Knollwood, but he's Orion to us on a daily basis. I don't have his papers with me, but I purchased him in March 2008 through Britta Johnston in Virginia.

[rebecca yount]

Hey, Susan. I think he must have heard about Bo Peep and wanted to "visit" her...

It's hard but we know we did the right thing, huh? Rebecca

[sid]

Thanks for all the nice words. The Breeding Forum friends made me cry!

Whicker..."Bo" was 26. He had 3 babies when Julie Herbst owned him (she imported him at age 3 1/2 from Holland) --bred informally to friends mares or for charity, prior him going to Sharon and Mike.

He never bred again during the years Sharon and Mike took him up through the USET training list period which is the point at which I bought him in 1996.

He only bred a bit from 1997-2000 due to the injury that retired him. So the majority of his offspring are 9 yrs. old -- most younger.

Joeismyhorse and Whicker-- I'd love know more about the Bo babies you had/have. We SO's lose track as MO's often don't keep in touch and horses change hands, names changed, etc. Right now, learning more about them would make my day.

PM me if you like.

[sid]

Rebecca...we must have been posting at the same time.

Yep...he saw that lovely Bo Peep cross in front of his stall more than one time and was thrilled.

That would have been a match made in Heaven...maybe it is.;)

[JoeIsMyHorse]

Sid -- Sent you a pm.

[Catersun]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[whicker]

SID,
Joeismyhorse has my horse, Orion! I am thrilled to find him, too! I will send you a pm.