Goodbye, DJ

My old friend DJ has passed on.

DJ was a sweet blaze-faced chestnut gelding who lived down the street from me. He shared a large, lush, daisy-dotted meadow with his friend Prince, also a chestnut gelding. I met him over five years ago when my husband and I first bought our house.

My husband and I have a favorite after dinner ritual: we walk around the block and visit Prince and DJ. This lovely walk around our neighborhood is peaceful and beautiful...

First, we see the waterfall and babbling brook. Then, we turn the corner and beautiful antique homes, open fields and majestic maple trees line the road. The walk ends at Prince and DJ's meadow, and we could usually count on them to be near the fence awaiting an ear rub or two.

One time, DJ came to visit me. He broke down a fence and trotted up the road to hang out on my front lawn.

With some help from me and some neighbors, we were able to alert DJ's owner, and get him back home safe and sound. DJ was unscathed from his little adventure, and he seemed quite pleased with himself.

Two weeks ago, I saw DJ for the last time. I saw him grazing happily and I called out to him, "hey Deej!"

DJ lifted his head and did something he had never done before--he cheerfully whinnied at me. I was tickled. He had a delightful, bright and clear call. His ears were up and I swear he was smiling. He had a good life. The old horse was very happy.

Two days later on our walk, we saw Prince alone in his meadow. I feared the worst.

The next day I went back, and DJ was still not there. He was gone.

Yesterday, I saw DJ's owner, and I asked about DJ. He told me that old age had finally taken him. I told DJ's kind owner I was very sorry, and that my husband and I would continue to visit Prince, who now trots up to the fence whenever we arrive at his meadow. Prince obviously misses his old friend.

I think DJ was saying goodbye that day he trumpeted at me.

My last image of DJ is a happy one indeed. He is calling to me; ears up and knee deep in grass and daisies.

Goodbye DJ, you sweet and happy horse. I will miss you.

(The above image is my illustration, "Socks." It depicts a happy, blaze faced chestnut enjoying some play time in his very own lush meadow)

Congrats, Rags to Riches!

Secretariat, by the incredible artist Leroy Neiman. Secretariat still holds the Belmont speed record.

Now there is another blazing chestnut that made Belmont history: Rags to Riches.

Rags to Riches is a beautiful filly whose pedigree boasts of sire AP Indy (son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew), and of Secretariat himself. She ran with the colts in the 139th running of the Belmont Stakes, and she performed brilliantly.

She's the first filly in over a century to win the Belmont, and the first filly to win the Belmont at a mile and half.

She won the race by a head, narrowly defeating the mighty, big-engined Curlin.

It was a race between these two powerful chestnuts. In the end, the gorgeous filly made history.

Congratulations!

And just for fun, here's a video of Rags to Riches' great grand-daddy, Secretariat, running his history-making, record-smashing Belmont stakes, June 9, 1973:

(art history note: John Skeaping (1901-1980), master equine painter and sculptor, created the statue of Secretariat briefly featured in this video):