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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2006-05-04 01:03 PM




A herd of Lipizzaners wail tonight
in pastures and stalls at White Horse Vale.
A thousand hoofbeats tear asunder the earth,
like thunder tears the skies on a stormy night.

Farewell, they neigh,
for today an equine’s friend
has passed away, taking his final ride
into yonder celestial blue sky.

Rest in Peace, dear Leonard.

Ride a white stallion into the heavens above,
accompanied aloft by angel’s wings,
and the heartbeat of a mourning dove.
You will be remembered, with love.
*
RIP, Leonard Boardman
White Horse Vale,
Lipizzan Horse Farm


© Copyright 2006 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
1 posted 2006-05-04 01:11 PM


"Rest in Peace, dear Leonard.

Ride a white stallion into the heavens above,
accompanied aloft by angel’s wings,
and the heartbeat of a mourning dove.
You will be remembered, with love."

Ah Kacy, what a heartfelt tribute to this man.
Extremely appropriate..straight from your loving heart.

~So sorry for your loss...Hugs, Nancy~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2006-05-04 01:15 PM


Oh, no!  You spoke of him before.  I am so sorry.  I think you said his wife's name is June.  Please tell her that an old woman in South Africa is crying for her and for your loss and that of the Lippizaners.  Please love the Lippizaners for me and send them South African horse-person comfort.  My son and daughter-in-law's cat had to be put down yesterday - I took her to the vet - renal failure and phoned my daughter-in-law who came to the vet to say goodbye to her and I hugged and kissed and rocked her (Shakespeare, the cat) and organised with Flicka (my late horse, as you will remember) to meet her at the gates of Heaven and told Shakespeare what Flicka looked like so that she could recognise him - while I waited for my daughter-in-law.  I went to my late horse's living stables today.  So with all of this, my emotions are in tatters and I can understand that yours are too.

Love and warm horse-person hugs to you all.

- Owl

Eromyna
Member
since 2002-11-29
Posts 306
Pheonix, AZ, USA
3 posted 2006-05-04 01:43 PM


Make that 2 people crying. It is one of my life-long dreams to see the Lipizzan horses. I know that when I do, I'll remember and be thankful for Leonard.
Midnitesun
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Gaia
4 posted 2006-05-04 01:45 PM


Thank you. As well as being a wonderful horse breeder, with his longtime companion and wife June, Leonard was also a high school teacher, a wonderful role model. This news will no doubt come hard for his students and co-workers, as well as those in the horse world, and anyone who knew him.
OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
5 posted 2006-05-04 01:49 PM


Eromyna, I saw a Lippizaner show once many years ago with my 2 children and they (the Lippizaners) were stabled at the stables where our horse was, so we got to meet them as well.  Both seeing them perform and meeting them were breath-stealing, quiver-exciting experiences.  That makes this poem even more heart-rending for me.

- Owl

OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
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Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2006-05-04 01:54 PM


How old was he Kacy?

- Owl

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
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displaced
7 posted 2006-05-04 02:07 PM


a beautiful tribute here Kacy
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
8 posted 2006-05-04 02:29 PM



Kacy...I'm so sorry.  What a treasure you came to know this man...I do hope your memories will sustain you over time.




Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

9 posted 2006-05-04 05:09 PM


This poem pays a fine tribute to Leonard Kacy...i am sure that he rides white horses across the sweeping planes of heaven..thank you for your words..

Goldenrose.

''As the deer pants for steams of water, so my soul pants for you O God''
Psalm 42:1

Midnitesun
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Gaia
10 posted 2006-05-04 05:20 PM


Thanking each of you for your time and comments. Owl, I think he was in his early sixties, though I never asked.
My daughter just moved last week to work at White Horse Vale, along with her trainers and their horses, who relocated from Oregon to merge with WHV, which I believe now makes them the largest USA Lipizzaner breeding/classical dressage training farm. I only met Leonard and spoke with him a couple of times, but my daughter spoke highly of him, and vice versa.
~sigh! I miss my daughter greatly, but can only imagine how greatly June will be missing Leonard. Enough said.~
  

Paula Finn
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since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
11 posted 2006-05-04 10:08 PM


As a young girl it was my pleasure to be able to see these magnificent horses perform in St. Louis. It is a sight that has dwelled in my memeory all these long years. I am sorry for the loss of your friend, but this is a beautiful tribute to him and the horses he loved.
lgina
Member
since 2004-07-20
Posts 52

12 posted 2006-05-04 10:27 PM


beautiful words for such a amazing animal.  so sorry for the loss.  
Midnitesun
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Gaia
13 posted 2006-05-04 11:47 PM


thank you Paula, and Gina

OwlSA
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Durban, South Africa
14 posted 2006-05-05 01:21 PM


That seems very young for somebody who is fit enough to be working with horses all the time.  What a sad beginning for your daughter, but she was privileged to have had at least a short time with him.  May time caress all those who mourn for him, not least the Lippizaners.

- Owl

Midnitesun
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Gaia
15 posted 2006-05-05 05:47 PM


Owl, I have sent you an email. It was so sudden, but there was an underlying medical issue.
The Lady
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since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
16 posted 2006-05-06 11:35 PM




"A herd of Lipizzaners wail tonight
in pastures and stalls at White Horse Vale.
A thousand hoofbeats tear asunder the earth,
like thunder tears the skies on a stormy night."


Oh how powerful Kacy, and what a heartrending tribute. Thank you.
  

Magnus
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South Carolina, USA
17 posted 2006-05-08 09:21 PM


They are quite an animal and he obviously
was quite the teacher as well....I am
sorry for the loss of a friend..

Midnitesun
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Gaia
18 posted 2006-05-08 09:24 PM


Thanks, dear Lady, and Barry. I will be there in spirit this Friday evening, when the memorial will be held at the high school where he taught. I know it will be a celebration of his life, as well as a mourning for losing him.

RIP, Leonard. May your spirit always ride blue skies.

JesusChristPose
Senior Member
since 2005-06-21
Posts 777
Pittsburgh, Pa
19 posted 2006-05-08 09:49 PM


Kacy,

That was a beautifully written tribute. Thank you for sharing.

"Melvin, the best thing you got going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself."

Midnitesun
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Gaia
20 posted 2006-05-08 09:54 PM


Thank you so much for visiting this write, JCP.
juj1
Junior Member
since 2006-05-08
Posts 22
Laval Quebec Ca
21 posted 2006-05-08 09:56 PM


A touching poem, a great tribute indeed. May you be blessed by the stars of above, the same way you are blessing us with such fine poetry. Take care
playing.with.crayons
Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362
Neverland
22 posted 2006-05-09 02:34 AM


A beautiful, intricate write. And - being the lucky owner of my beautiful lipizzaner-thoroughbred cross Bella, I think your poem deserves more credit than perhaps people know. Your words brought the touch of their manes to my face. And I am so deeply sorry for your loss. This is beautiful caring tribute
much love
cheye


farewell the ash-tray girl

[This message has been edited by playing.with.crayons (05-09-2006 06:09 AM).]

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
23 posted 2006-05-09 03:08 AM


I can't imagine a more beautiful tribute, Kacy. This is beautiful.  Very sorry to hear about the loss of such a friend.  *hugs*....jo
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