Street Art – August 3

In 2015, we went to Paris to look at a horse. Paris, Kentucky, that is, which is part of Lexington. The horse wasn’t quite what we wanted. I had been accepted into the Thoroughbred Makeover, and we were searching for a retired racehorse that was a sound hunter / jumper prospect. We had exhausted all closer options.

Before we left, I had seen a horse on the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center website that seemed a possibility, if the Paris horse didn’t work out. But the Center, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, was just opening that week for applicants, and there was someone ahead of us. I had applied to try a horse, and had been accepted, so we stopped there the next day.

We didn’t love the horse I had seen on the website, but there was another one, a chestnut horse, with a “frostbitten ear” that was the right type. We watched the other shopper try him. I turned to Harry and remarked that they would definitely buy that horse, they would be crazy not to… but they thought he was “too quiet”. His Jockey Club registered name was Street Art. It was destiny. We tried him and loved him, and said we would buy him. Not so fast! The Maker’s Mark Center needed some time. The horse was scheduled to see Camilla. We would have to return in two weeks if we wanted him.

I assumed Camilla must be a vet or a chiropractor, but, no, it was THE Camilla, who was doing an appearance for The Brooke Donkey Sanctuary ( https://www.thebrooke.org ). Artie, as he was called, was deemed the best ambassador for the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, so he was making a trip to Louisville to meet Camilla at Churchill Downs. To prove how sensible he was, Susanna, the director, brought him into the office while we were finalizing plans.

We returned to Lexington after Artie’s brush with fame, and brought him here to Bronze Fox Farm to learn to jump, and to be my “old lady horse”. I expected to keep him forever. The Makeover was our first big goal.

Artie was not much of a racehorse. He had two starts, running last in both races. So he was certainly not hard used He had excellent conformation, good feet, and a head “with character”. His soul was exceptional. He liked people and he wanted to please. Artie was stoic and kind, and he could “take a joke”, which in our sport means he was forgiving of rider mistakes. We were astounded at our luck.

My mother died in April, and Artie carried me through grieving, as we prepared for the October Thoroughbred Makeover. It was a memorable summer, sadness and adventure mixed, as Artie and I became a real team.

Balanced against Artie’s generosity and talent, though, was some bad luck. He had a few choking incidents (always very frightening in horses, as they cannot vomit), some episodes of coughing, chalked up to allergies, along with the occasional mishaps requiring stitches that tend to happen to all good horses. Artie was tough and uncomplaining, and we were lucky that he was in good health when we returned to Lexington for the Makeover. We had a group of friends with us, and Nettie came along, too. Artie was 4th (of 43) in the Jumper section, and 7th (of 34) in the Hunter section. It was the most fun I have ever had in competition. One of the greatest aspects of The Makeover was meeting the horses’ “connections” – people who had the horses before. Everyone who had known Artie came to the Makeover. Even the woman who had owned his sire was there to cheer him on! Artie was remembered and loved by all the people whose lives he crossed. This was no Black Beauty story. Street Art was a nice horse, valued by all who knew him. It was an honor to be amongst them.

Artie’s troubles worsened in 2017, as his allergies became unmanageable. I contacted Maker’s Mark and offered him for sale through their “Graduates” program, with the understanding that Artie had to go to a dry climate. I was inundated with interest, and I hadn’t even mentioned that the only price was a good home. The very first person who called, from Colorado, came to try Artie with her daughter. Holly and Kari were immediate perfect matches for my “old lady horse”. I was heartbroken when Artie left, but happy that he was going to be loved by a mother and daughter who were horsewomen, and who appreciated the special horse that Artie was.

Two years later, Artie was in Lexington with Kari while she was attending college. Jane and I were showing at the Kentucky Horse Park, and they brought Artie over for a reunion visit. He looked wonderful, and was very happy.

Last year, I ran into Kari in Omaha, where she was working as an Antares saddle rep. She and Artie had returned to Colorado, but there was bad news. He had colic, requiring abdominal surgery, which is a very big deal. Artie’s stoicism served him well, and he recovered and returned to work.

A week ago, Kari called me to let me know that Artie had succumbed to a variety of ailments and had to be put to sleep that morning. She was so brave and kind to let me know, while she herself was devastated. Kari had him for 6 years, his forever home was with her. We are all grieving the loss of that wonderful chestnut horse that I thought I would keep forever. Artie was only 13. He was unlucky in health issues, but so very lucky to find Kari and Holly, who loved him the most, and gave him the best possible care. He was happiest in Colorado, where he was loved by all.

Loving animals takes some courage. They will inevitably break your heart. But they also bring joy and great memories to offset the heartbreak. Life is always enhanced by our love of other creatures… especially those magnificent horses that provide a feel of flying which exceeds all sadness.

Gallop through, Artie… thanks for the memories.

Be safe, be well, be strong. Slava Ukraini! Peace.