elle1971
Super Pooper Scooper
'Okay Renee' aka 'Maddie'
Posts: 5
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Post by elle1971 on Feb 20, 2007 16:37:17 GMT -5
This is a photograph of my beloved Thoroughbred gelding Callie. I lost him this past October at the age of 23. He was a Secretariat grandson and he stood 17hh and was jet black.
Callie raced at tracks like Belmont, Aqueduct and then was retired at the age of six. Then he became a 'Big Timber' horse in South Carolina. After he did all of that and was beaten by the grooms with an ax handle, he was bought by the Huntmaster of the Far Hills Hunt in New Jersey. The Huntmaster got a new wife and she didn't like horses, so he instructed the farm manager to sell him at auction.
Lynn, who is the Vice President of my Organization called me about Callie and I took him for ONE DOLLAR. The guy bet me that I could not ride this horse and I knew I could. So I bet him, went over a few fences and returned happy. I had Callie for the last 8 years of his life and he was a tremendous horse. Gorgeous and a real gentleman - unless you were a guy!!! I miss Callie every day.
Be well,
elle
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Post by kidznhorses on Feb 20, 2007 16:47:36 GMT -5
Wow! What a story! It sounds like you were both very blessed to have found each other. Thanks for sharing elle.
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Post by cybercat on Feb 20, 2007 17:29:36 GMT -5
What a great story and an especially great photo! Weren't you lucky to be there with a camera at just the right time...those moments are all too rare and fleeting.
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elle1971
Super Pooper Scooper
'Okay Renee' aka 'Maddie'
Posts: 5
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Post by elle1971 on Feb 20, 2007 17:35:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words! That horse had a very stressful life until I got him. He became a wonderful Dressage horse - he enjoyed it thoroughly. I knew he still wanted to jump being a retired steeplechaser and all, so we did sometimes. We went over a six foot fence more than a few times, and then I thought he should stick with the Dressage. He was gorgeous and I loved him from the moment I saw him. That photograph's timing was a gift from the Universe...I've had it enlarged and it now hangs in my home.  be well, elle |
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Post by Tate on Feb 20, 2007 19:57:13 GMT -5
Callie was a lucky horse to have you the last 8 years.....
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Post by atticus on Feb 21, 2007 0:25:09 GMT -5
So sweet! I wish I got to meet Callie, sounds like one of a kind.
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Post by hayforhorses - The Food Angel on Feb 21, 2007 2:17:56 GMT -5
WHY??? in the world would grooms beat Callie with an axe handle??? I just cannot understand this sort of craziness! It just makes me cry when I read garbage like this. I am so glad that you found him, Elle...thanks for sharing that beautiful photo...you were his real rainbow...
Aimee
PS: Do you have any photos of him in action? I imagine he was breathtaking...
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elle1971
Super Pooper Scooper
'Okay Renee' aka 'Maddie'
Posts: 5
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Post by elle1971 on Feb 21, 2007 19:55:58 GMT -5
When we called the last owner of record before the Huntmaster to see why he was 'spooky' in his stall, she said "Oh that big black horse. We beat him with an ax handle because that is the only way we could control him." It was revolting and if she could have been prosecuted for animal abuse, I would have done it. He was always a gentleman with me, Lynn, and Julie. I board Callie's little (well, not so little - she is 16.2hh) sister "Maddie" (the horse in my avatar) with Julie and she is the only mare in the field of geldings. We had to take the pony out of the mix because he was challenging the TBs and could have been badly hurt. Maddie is a great granddaughter of 'Secretariat' and Callie was a grandson of 'Secretariat.'
I don't have any photos of him in motion - plenty of him standing sentry for the other horses and being groomed and me riding him in a parade the summer before he passed. He always enjoyed the activity and he would load and unload himself from the trailer. He was a one of a kind horse. I love all of my horses, and all horses generally, but each has his or her own personality that makes them each special.
Be well,
elle
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Post by spicy-racer on Feb 21, 2007 23:54:38 GMT -5
That makes me wantta kick some serious xxx//.,..//,,!!!!!I am a race horse trainer, these guys and gals are my reason for getting up in the morning... EVERY day I thank God for the chance to be privledged to train them.... I try to make it "Club Reina"breakfast, Ice,massage, hand walking ,exercise,bubble bath, more walking, grooming,leg massage, rub down, magnetic therapy, bandages, lunch, nap...you get the idea, my "team" trains me!!!! I love them and the try their hearts out for me... God Bless Them All !!!! Reina
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Post by earlybp on Feb 22, 2007 17:15:48 GMT -5
I'm imagining Callie going over a 6 foot hedge. Must have been quite a sight (and ride!)
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Post by ljbrooks on Feb 25, 2007 20:29:26 GMT -5
That story just makes me want to cry. It is so obvious to all of us that all he needed was an understanding human to bring out his best. What a tragedy that you turned into gold. Good job and I'm sorry your friend had to pass on. How long after you took that photo did he cross the rainbow bridge? I think horses know more than we do about the simple things like mortality and honesty and love.
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