That's the name I gave him when I saw him in the field. He was an older horse, with a little sway in his back from years of barrel racing. I knew very little of riding horses, only having standardbred horses in the past. He would be the first horse that was all mine for me to love. Still I wasn't sure, being such an ameatuer in the "riding" department. My husband made the decision for me, saying this is the horse for me. He couldn't have called that one any closer to the truth. Blaze and I bonded like we were meant to always be together. Over the years that I had the pleasure of him he was always my rock, always there, always forgiving, always happy to see me. He taught me to ride. Whatever type of riding I wanted to do, Blaze was there to show me how. Years of trail riding gave me the courage to try competing in game shows. As soon as Blaze saw those barrels in the arena, he once again became the teacher, leading me through the pattern with such ease. I learned over the months to let him take the lead and we'd be ok. He gave me two wonderful years and loads of memories competing and having fun at local shows. He became quite popular with the other riders, mainly because of his personality and of course because of his experience. I do want to mention here that when we started running barrels, I was 43 and Blaze was 27! Here we are competing against girls that are 19 riding horses that are 5, and we are still keeping up with them. This past summer I made the decision to retire Blaze from riding, but he was still so willing to let my little grandson trot around on him in the backyard. He touched so many lives, everyone he came in contact with, loved Blaze. This past week Blaze's heart started to tire out. My husband and I had the hardest decision we ever had to make. We loved him so much, and knew we owed it to him to give him the dignity to rest without suffering. Blaze was too weak to make the trip to the vet, so we had the vet come to us. I had the privlege of being there, holding him, loving him to the end. My heart was breaking in half, but I didn't want a stranger with him when he left here. Blaze was 30 years old when he left us to run in open fields in heaven. I pray that I can love another horse, but know not to set such a high standard for my next horse. A love like that only comes around once and I know can't be repeated. Blaze left my life March 24,2008 at the age of 30. I had 12 of the best years of my life with him and hope he remains in everyone's hearts that he met like he will in mine.
Carol Strejcek
Tanners McMurphy
Tanners McMurphy was a wonderful mare that has given our family many years of dedication, love and respect. I bought her from an Arabian farm in 1991, and they said they called her Moose because she was so stout. Well of course she is, she is a Quarter Horse not an Arabian was my response. I bought her on the spot, when I saw that she was a granddaughter of Chickanita, a stallion of Larry Williams' when I was a kid. We brought her home to Marion Center for my sister Gwen to train as her first untrained 4-H project horse. They had many great years showing together, and she loved showmanship the best. When Gwen left for college, I decided to breed her.
She lost her first baby by Squaw Sports Sox in 1995, and was bred back to Sox the following year. Oscar (Sportin an Oscar), was her first colt born in 1997. Two years later she had Felix (Felix Over Tee Moon) by Mega Tee Moon. Felix was trained by Natalie Rupert and is now owned by Noah Turley. Her next foal was born two years later in 2001 and his name is Irish, (Murphy's Irish Moon). Oscar and Irish continue to live with me as my barrel and pole horses. Tanner was a great mother to her boys, and taught them respect through kindness, never wavering when they challenged her. After her last baby, we decided to retire her and and give lessons on her. One of her students fell in love with her and decided to buy her. Linda loved Tanner and learned a lot from her. Tanner got regular spa treatments and was pampered for several years under Linda's ownership. I bought Tanner back in 2006 when her health has started to fail and decided to retire her at my farm. She lived out her last years, going on several fun trailrides (with meds) and enjoyed playing with her boys and Brandy Sue. I made the difficult decision this spring that Tanner's health was failing, and on April 18, 2008 she left this world to go to the green pastures of heaven to live with the many horses I have known in my life. I was with her til the end, and let me tell you that is one of the most difficult things I have ever lived through. Tanner was a wonderful horse with nothing but kindness for those who loved her, and she had many, many people who loved her and who will miss her. I know she is in a better place and is grazing happily, hopefully receiving spa treatments daily from Tammy Gardener, another dear friend of mine who left this world 2 years ago. I will miss you both, and can't wait to see you again. Kiss Kiss Tannin Baum,
Love and Hugs,
Jackie Black
Sports Speck (Roany Pony)
Sports Speck, known to many as Roany or Roany Pony was a horse that touched many lives in his 24 years. He was trained and owned by Susan Brickell for many years and taught many children to run barrels and poles. Just to name a few, David Galentine, Jackie Black, Lance Beatty, Gwen Beatty, and Noah and Avery Turley. He was one of the most honest and giving animals, and ran only as fast or slow as he was told. He won many barrel and pole classes at the local, district, and state levels and also qualified for the NBHA finals in the 1st Division. He gave everything to every owner and loved nothing more than running barrels and poles, except maybe a good trailride. He lived his final 4 years with the Turley family, getting lots of love and hugs, while giving all he could to both Noah and Avery. He gave them the confidence and understanding only a great horse can give to a child, and we should all be so lucky to have this kind of horse once in a lifetime. You were a once in a lifetime horse for many Mr. Pony and we hope you have an eternity of green pastures to graze upon.
