Britt and Gabe competed together for 6 years, and had their eye on the Rolex 3-Day Event in a couple more years, a competition that is on par with the Olympics to the equestrian community. A few years ago, Gabe was diagnosed with a progressive autoimmune disorder, and late last fall it reached the point where it couldn't be controlled with medication, so she and my mom made the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep.
My sister was devastated, of course, but life goes on. She began searching for a new horse, taking weekend trips out of state to Wisconsin, Missouri - she even flew out to Portland, OR, to look at a horse recommended by an old trainer of hers who had relocated to that area. Her requirements were stringent - her new horse needed to be young, tall, male, and have both the aptitude and attitude for upper-level Eventing.
Enter Bobbi Jo's Hope*. After looking at close to a thousand horses online and trying out several with no luck (the Portland horse was everything she was looking for, but didn't pass his prepurchase vet exam), no one expected to her find the perfect horse right in our own backyard. Late last week, my mom was skimming a local equestrian message board for any newly posted horses for sale, when she came across a message that caught her eye:
Much to everyone's surprise, I think, the connection between Britt and the mare - this mistreated, skin and bones, one-eyed mare - was instant. It may have had something to do with the fact that the horse had similar markings to Gabe's, or that she put her head on Britt's chest the same way Gabe did when they had first met. Or maybe, it was just meant to be. My mom, my sister and I all believe that things happen in life for a reason, even if you don't know what that reason is right away, so...it was almost as if the universe were waving a big flag saying, "Please, she needs you." And so they put her in the trailer.
Welcome home, Bobbi Jo's Hope! (Who, by the way, promptly had her name changed to Lady Estora de Coutre, or "Tora" around the barn.)
*no pictures of her available, yet - Britt hasn't posted any online for me to steal, and in any case her present condition would probably make you cry.
*disclaimer: some minor details edited for dramatic effect. Namely, they didn't pop her straight in the trailer - they went back to get her the next day. Also, the decision whether to KEEP-keep her isn't final yet. But she really does have only one eye.
My sister was devastated, of course, but life goes on. She began searching for a new horse, taking weekend trips out of state to Wisconsin, Missouri - she even flew out to Portland, OR, to look at a horse recommended by an old trainer of hers who had relocated to that area. Her requirements were stringent - her new horse needed to be young, tall, male, and have both the aptitude and attitude for upper-level Eventing.
Enter Bobbi Jo's Hope*. After looking at close to a thousand horses online and trying out several with no luck (the Portland horse was everything she was looking for, but didn't pass his prepurchase vet exam), no one expected to her find the perfect horse right in our own backyard. Late last week, my mom was skimming a local equestrian message board for any newly posted horses for sale, when she came across a message that caught her eye:
I am posting this for the MN Hooved Animal RescueI'm sure my mom must have passed over a dozen similar posts in the past, but for some reason this one made her pause and pick up the phone. MNHAR was able to give her some additional details on the mare, including one that literally gave her chills - "Hope" and Gabe shared a grandfather. Mom and Britt made arrangements to go see her on Monday, figuring if nothing else, they could foster her for a month while the Rescue worked on finding a more permanent arrangement.
MN Hooved Animal Rescue desperately needs foster care or adoption for a sweet, athletic 5 year old OTTB mare. She has been successfully raced in the past and is believed to be sound.
Bobbi Joe's Hope is a 16.1-16.2 h mare who has a very nice temperment. She has been Coggins tested, she is thin but healthy, and she is ready to have a new job. She is from a recent humane case and the rescue doesn't have room to bring her home from the vet. She has been recuperating from being starved.
Hope is missing her left eye, but she hasn't had it since she was very young. She was born with a problem in that eye, and she isn't spooky about not having it. She was able to race well and be ridden nicely without it.
Please contact the MN Hooved Animal Rescue ASAP if you are interested.
763-856-3119
info@...
Much to everyone's surprise, I think, the connection between Britt and the mare - this mistreated, skin and bones, one-eyed mare - was instant. It may have had something to do with the fact that the horse had similar markings to Gabe's, or that she put her head on Britt's chest the same way Gabe did when they had first met. Or maybe, it was just meant to be. My mom, my sister and I all believe that things happen in life for a reason, even if you don't know what that reason is right away, so...it was almost as if the universe were waving a big flag saying, "Please, she needs you." And so they put her in the trailer.
Welcome home, Bobbi Jo's Hope! (Who, by the way, promptly had her name changed to Lady Estora de Coutre, or "Tora" around the barn.)
*no pictures of her available, yet - Britt hasn't posted any online for me to steal, and in any case her present condition would probably make you cry.
*disclaimer: some minor details edited for dramatic effect. Namely, they didn't pop her straight in the trailer - they went back to get her the next day. Also, the decision whether to KEEP-keep her isn't final yet. But she really does have only one eye.
Awesome. Just...awesome. I'm subscribing to the idea that "it happened for a reason" too.
ReplyDeleteAnd only one eye? I love her already. :)