Champ 1976-2008
The day had finally come. It was heartbreaking but it had to be done. Austin's old pony had reached a point where he needed to cross the bridge and run through the fields of pony heaven.
We got him May 2007 from a family who was moving north and they thought he was 30 or so then. He was wooley...just shedding his winter coat. We soon found out that Icelandic's shed from the first warm day until the first cold day. They never really "slick out" like other horses. He was just wooley all year...in winter though, he had the coat of a yak.
He was onery to Kennedy but seemed to take an instant liking to Austin. When we would be fed up with his antics and "short man" syndrome, Austin would remind us that he was just a "grumpy, old man" and we would learn to look at him as a "grandpa" sort of pony and we learned to develop more patience. He didn't like to do anything fast including eat which would sometimes take up to 2 hours. He only had one back tooth though so we would wait and then let him out of his stall to join the herd.
When his herd was turned out to pasture in the spring, Champ just went crazy without them. With only one back tooth it was impossible for him to survive on pasture and grain...he required a special diet of beetpulp, grain, orchard grass pellets and a variety of supplements. He was lonely and depressed and so we bought him his own pets...2 goats we named Zack and Cody. To say that Champ was thrilled about the idea is greatly exaggerating. While he enjoyed having someone else here, the goats were a pain! He loved bossing them though so he spent much of his time bullying and throwing tantrums their way.
While he was the smallest and the oldest, he gained respect from the rest of the group. He had no problem letting them know when they ticked him off and once, even Austin got it in the face! Champ had had it with the fillies and didn't realize Austin was behind him when he kicked out. I was ready to find him another home at that point but Austin stepped in and won the day for Champ once again.
He was Kennedy's first rodeo pony and even Austin used him a time or two. He never earned a good time but he put all his heart in to running barrels and poles. He was stubborn though and without a strong rider could take off and do his own thing, as Kennedy found out more than once. With Austin he was as good as gold.
He was a beautiful pony with a honey colored body and soft blond mane. I can imagine that in his day he was quite the show stopper. We heard he had been a parade horse and I can believe it.
He loved trail rides at Hughes farm. It didn't matter that he was old and arthritic, when he saw that was where we were headed, he was off and running. He loved Chazz and trail riding with him was pure heaven for Champ. I'm sure that where ever horse heaven is, he is running through the trails and jumping the low branches. We took him on his last ride this summer and it was clear that he was struggling to keep up. It was then that I knew the decision would have to be made soon.
We discussed it with the vet several times and they urged us to make the decision before November when the weather would turn cold and the east wind would howl through the trees. Even with his big wintery coat and our heaviest blanket, last winter was a struggle for him so we knew that another winter would be impossible. The days became shorter and we spent a great deal of time discussing what needed to be done with Austin. While he knew in his head it was the right thing to do...it was much harder telling his heart.
Austin didn't want to be there so Daddy stayed behind to be with Champ. It was over quickly and painlessly for Champ but took some time for Austin to get through. He is healing and starting to spend more time with his horse, Cooper. While Cooper can not replace Champ, he does help to soothe the soul a bit.
We would like to thank Columbia Equine for their exceptional care of our horses and for the lovely condolence card. Also, in Champ's memory, they gave a substantial donation to the scholarship fund at OSU's veterinarian program. We thought that was just awesome.
God forbid that I should go to any Heaven in which there are no horses. ~R.B. Cunninghame Graham, letter to Theodore Roosevelt, 1917
Also, Austin has a new rodeo horse! After some serious scouting for the just the right horse at just the right price...we found a beautiful quarter pony that Austin has named Cooper's Legend or Cooper (named after his favorite PBR bull). He is young and green and built like a tank (only 3 years old) so he will be spending the soccer season with a trainer. The lady who owned him bought him as a yearling for barrel racing and team roping in indoor arenas but before she could get him completely broke, she found out she was expecting. His groundwork is exceptional and he has been saddled for over a year with a few rides on him but still needs a good 30 days with a professional trainer and he needs patterning. Austin will be spending a lot of time this winter and spring riding him both outdoors and at the J Bar L Ranch's indoor arena getting some miles on him and working the pattern. He won't start roping training until spring and will hopefully participate in some breakaway roping next year.
Chazz was hot and tired and not as cooperative as he could have been for barrel racing and pole bending. He just loves poles but got so excited he cut the last pole and broke formation causing Austin to get a "no time." He finished the pattern anyway to remind Chazz of what he is supposed to do. As far as barrel racing, Chazz seems to have a problem with the 2nd barrel. He'll run fine and turn on the first and fly to and around the third but the second just throws him off. Saturday was no exception. Austin finished but with a "no time" in this event as well. He was frustrated but managed to get over it.
Bull riding was disappointing but not for the reasons you would imagine. After riding big bulls the last two rodeos and finally starting to get his groove, another parent complained to the stock provider and they were forced to use small (nearly Pee-Wee size) bulls on Saturday. All of the Junior boys complained and not only had a hard time riding but they didn't have very good rides either. All of the boys that rode Saturday have been doing this for quite some time (and many also ride at OJBRA) so this was a real let down. I am hoping with so much support for bigger bulls, there will be a positive change at Spirit Mountain. Austin did not cover his ride and in the picture you can even see how he went one way and the bull went the other.
On to bareback...the highlight of the day! Austin had a fantastic ride! He drew a horse that had not been bucked out yet and it was very active in the chute. This can make even the most seasoned cowboy nervous...they do not call the chute a "cowboy coffin" for nothing! Austin actually considered not riding but with some encouragement for both Tenisha and Jonathan, he hopped on and scored a whopping 76! That was the best ride he has ever had. He made it look so easy! The horse was just hoppin' and spinnin' and he stayed dead center. He even hung on after the buzzer waiting for the pick-up men to get him but they never got quite close enough for him to let go. Also, utilizing the pick up men is a learned skill and not one he has had the opportunity to try or learn yet. He will be attending Bobby Mote's bareback camp next year where he will get the opportunity to practice this very important skill.
So, that about wrapped up Saturday. We came home very late, fed animals and put everyone to bed, ate dinner and crashed only to get ready to do it all again on Sunday!
He also ran barrels and poles with Chazzy and would have had an awesome time on poles if Chazz hadn't got so excited again. He'll just have to keep at it. But in barrels, Chazz ran his fastest time...just over 26 seconds. They can average anywhere between 18 and 24 seconds so he is really doing well. He has cut over 5 seconds off his time in about 4 weeks. That is amazing! I expect to see continued improvement here as well.
Wow! That was a long post for sure. On the home front we would like to thank Jack Gallagher of Gallagher Electric for his continued support of Austin. He has made the opportunity to perform at Molalla with the WVJRA possible and we greatly appreciate it. If you click on their name under sponsors, you can visit their website and get all the information about the business and all they do. Thank you again, Gallagher Electric!
