"Good Night Sweet Prince"


I had started writing a light-heartedblog entry about wood heating in Lewis County thingie, and then I got the word Monday morning, January 29, that Barbaro was euthanized


The Commonwealth of Kentucky is pretty synonymous with three things: The University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, bluegrass and horses.


And Barbaro was one of the greatest thoroughbreds of our generation.


Winner of last year's Kentucky Derby, he became the darling of the American horse community and yet another real hope for the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.


I actually count myself fortunate to have seen three Triple Crown winners in my lifetime. In addition to Affirmed, there was Seattle Slew in 1977 and Secretariat (probably the next best thoroughbred of all time since "The Horse of the Century" Kentucky's legendary "Man o'War" from the early 20th Century).


Here in Kentucky, we take our horses seriously


Thoroughbreds, quarter horses, trotters, saddlebreds or just everyday farm horses, we love and cherish them all.


I grew up in a horse family, married into a horse family, and have horse families then until now who are good friends.


Barbaro was a beautiful horse.


His tragic accident at Preakness last year cut us all to the soul. But his huge heart and willingness to live was, to us, a grand example of triumph over disaster. We've watched his difficult recovery, rejoicing in the strides forward and sad with every setback.


The last setback was indeed the last.


Just a little over a week past eight months following the Preakness accident, despite all the latest veterinary knowledge and technology, the almost unending funding, the overwhelming support and prayers from people around the world who were touched by a fighting spirit, the time came to say goodbye.


Good night, sweet prince.


Run happy, pain-free and forever young and healthy in the always green pastures on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.