A Man and His Horse

Re-repost 2018
I love horses.  We witnessed history yesterday at the Belmont. Justify justified his claim to one of fifteen horses in history to win the Triple-Crown.  The glorious side of competition and victory was on display for all to see, something we as Americans have always appreciated.  What reward does an athlete gain…if not for victory?  However, sport has its tragedies as well.   
Thoroughbreds have strong but fragile legs.  Throughout the history of horse racing we have all witnessed tragedy at the track.  I originally wrote this in 1990 when Go for the Wand went down at the Breeders Cup and then reposted it in 2008 when Eight Belles went down at the Derby.
Yesterday was about triumph and I am happy the outcome was a safe one.  For every victory there are sacrifices made that are not always our own.  As we celebrate history let’s not forget those that stumbled and fell along the way.

Repost Intro from 2008
With the tragic events at the Kentucky Derby yesterday I feel moved to repost something I wrote 18 years ago. You may remember the horse and race this relates to. I will never forget watching it unfold on TV and at the time it moved me to tears and emotions that often stir up the creative side of me. Rest in peace Eight Belles, I'm sure you're running in fields of green with Go for the Wand and all the other majestic horses that touch us in our lifetime. Happy Hoof Beats and give a snort and nudge to the Big Guy for us.

Original Post from 1990
Go For The Wand
Breeders Cup Distaff 1990
The spirit of sport was broken today
In all her glory she stumbled and fell.
What separates ambition and ability
Is often a thread too fragile to tell.
With a heart so big, and a will so great
The spirit of sport offers victory as well as tragedy.
What makes athletes do what they do?
Is it instinct, training, or the want to win,
Is it fear, pressure, or greed and glory?
For the greatest it isn’t any of the above
But it is the heart and the want to make others happy.
To see their faces share in the victory
To feel that aura of overwhelming pride
To know that all the work, has higher rewards.
Surely the great ones have a different approach
A personality all their own, for all to admire
This is what separates ambition from ability.
Yes the spirit of sport was broken today
But with a heart so big, and a will so great
She got up and crossed the finish line one last time.
What would she say…if only she could?
I can’t help but feel it would be,
“Go for the true spirit of sport….Go For The Wand.”

© Bryan Stross 1990

Animals are the Spirit of God before us…in their entire splendor.

The love of a companion is unchallenged…when you consider the loyalty of your dog.

Don’t waste your time on a sluggish cat…but rather find one with a little tiger in ‘em.

A bird can be your eyes…when yours are clouded from the tears in the sky.

Don’t trust an aggressive animal…but rather watch, listen and feel for their fears.

The strength of a man is multiplied by the number of friends he has in nature.

The true character of a man can be seen in how he treats his horse.

The loneliness of a man is diminished with the companionship of a dog.

There are no better kisses…then puppy kisses.    © B.A.S. 2018