In Memory of Michael
I lost you my friend and best mate on the 24th September 2008. I first saw you running free in the rolling hills of the once famous paddocks of ”Born Free” in Esperance. I think you were only four years old a magnificent Stallion and even though your Dad was there you were clearly the boss. We were pretty sure that the three foals present were yours as your Dad was 30 and having real trouble just walking. We seemed to hit it off straight away, it may have helped that you adored red apples and the odd carrot. As I had not actually moved to Esperance at that time I would come down from Kalgoorlie, frequently to see you and have some wonderful chats with Arthur Baker who owned “Born Free”
You were offered to me by Arthur and no questions asked I jumped at the chance, I had Lady Audrey at that time and another horse mare a standardbred who you clearly adored. That first year was wonderful as even as a Stallion you took to your training like a pro… We did have one glitch in all of this as your girlfriend decided to have her foal in your paddock and it just happened to be a colt. To cut a long story short your days at stud finished with a cut of the knife, as you showed us another side of you which was not too good and it had to be remedied fast.
Now looking back it actually made us even closer as we worked even more on your training you taught me a lot, we started with wagon rides for birthday parties and working demonstations. You charmed everybody and they loved you, when I moved back to Kalgoorlie you had a friend Matthew [who was rescued with his two brothers by Neville Bennie a very special man who we also sadly lost last year. When Matthew was picked on by the other horses you stood up for him and he became your shadow and whereever you were he was never far away. Boulder market days were your favourite time as we offered you and Audrey as a Big Pony Ride, you had your own little group who always to came to see you each market day… And you were the star attraction when we rolled up in the Landau to provide a girl with her fairy tale wedding.
Even when earlier last year you gave me a scare when I discovered you had a problem with your left eye, which turned out to be cancer and had to be removed. Jill stepped in and took care of that little problem and you bounced right back as if nothing major had happened. You gave me fifteen years of your wonderful company and when Westie had a little boy on the 19th October 2008, he was named after you. As one day he will also be a magnificent Stallion just like his namesake, he will be registered as Glenmeadowshires Lord Leopold Michael, but he answers to his name of “Michael”. Goodbye my friend.
