One Year Ago Today...

Pictured is "Fiery Bay, " a 2006 watercolor piece I created for Greener Pastures Equine Rescue. Nothing makes my heart race more than a bright bay horse with a star...the spirited bay horse of my childhood dreams was the muse for this piece.

One year ago today, we lost a fiery bay Champion: Barbaro.

The talented son of Dynaformer won our hearts as easily as he won his races.

I fell in love when I saw Barbaro. He was a magnificent bay who looked just like my childhood dream horse. That sparkling bay coat, rippling muscles, and... a star. Not only did he have a star, but he also had an off-center snip of white splashed on his muzzle. Sigh. He was beautiful, sleek and powerful. His bright bay coat reflected rainbows and sunlight...

Oh, how he loved to run. He would cross the finish line with his ears up and a twinkle in his kind eye.

And oh, how I cried when he broke down in the Preakness. How I prayed for him...

And how I cried one year ago today.

Rest in peace, Barbaro.