Those who know me well, will know that the inspiration for my very first event in May 2021 was my aging Arabian ex-race horse & our journey through training to the racecourse & beyond.
Barney's career spanned four seasons from his debut in 1995 'til his retirement from a non-racing related injury in 1998. Along the way, I experienced some of the very best moments of my life.
The first of these was when he was placed third first time out, over a distance of one mile at Larkhill, a point-to-point track near Salisbury. That was followed by many more happy occasions, most notably his win over a mile and a half in 1996 - but over his career, he was placed over 5 furlongs, 1 mile, & 1 mile 2 furlongs - so very versatile over several distances. In 1996 he was placed 5th in the Breeders’ Cup at Newmarket - one of the most prestigious races of the season.
From the moment I bought him as a gangly 18 month old, Barney was my forever horse & for many years, my dream was to find a home where he could live with me. In 2001 I even bought a companion for him, Sorcey - a stable mate from the racing yard - in preparation for that eventual move. In the end, it took me until 2012 before I was able to accomplish that dream - moving me, & them, half way across the country to do so.
I called them my Warrior (Barney) & my Worrier (Sorcey) which gives an indication of just how different they were - & yet, they found a way to make it work. In 2018 we lost Sorcey & a little pony named Harley - on loan from my friend - has been earning his keep as Barney's companion ever since.
I have learned so much over the years from watching the interactions between these equine friends - & from the many challenges involved in keeping them safe at home. Gradually I have been collecting this wisdom & last month I finally pulled it all together as the theme for this month's Network & Grow event.
Then, last week I made the hardest - yet easiest - decision of my life. At the age of 34 Barney's health rapidly deteriorated & it was clear he was ready to go. His end was everything I wished for; calm, dignified, the sun shining, me with him to the very last breath. My stunning, complex, quirky soul mate has gone - & I am okay. I am okay because I know I made the right call, at the right time - it was beautiful, it was perfect, & I know that, when it mattered most, I did not fail him.
My world has changed forever - I have no plans for more horses, Harley will return to his owner &, gradually, my routines will adapt to a different way of living. In the meantime, the event will go ahead - a fitting conclusion to my journey as a horse owner - the celebration of a partnership that never stopped evolving, even to the last breath.
