On Tuesday, July 29th, 2003 I said good-bye to the best horse I have ever owned, and one of the best horses anyone could have ever owned. Gavelin SS was born to the Clifford Smith family in Basehor, Kansas on April 13th, 1982. He was a beautiful blanketed black colt with the biggest black spots in his white blanket an Appaloosa might have. He was the only black and white to ever be born on their farm, and he was their favorite horse, too. They even named the rocking horse Clifford made for his grand children Gavelin.For anyone who was not blessed to have met the live horse Gavelin, he was the horse that out of a crowd of 20 horses or so, people would always pick him out. He was extremely friendly, and equally trustworthy. You just couldn't help but like him!I had been looking for a gentle horse that could be ridden by my friends, who were not so experienced, in the event I couldn't ride, and a horse I could trust with them. The horse didn't have to be registered, but I preferred Paint or an Appaloosa (a horse an Indian would have had). There was an ad in the paper I was answering, and I was happy with what I went to see. Gavelin was 2 1/2 years old, and was about 15 hands tall (60" at his withers). He was so darned friendly and gorgeous; he was exactly what I was looking for.The next night I took my friend, Laura Herberger, to look at him. I couldn't talk the man down in price (I was in college full time and living at home: money was a slight object). On the way home from looking at Gavelin for the second time, Laura told me she would lend me the money to make up the difference of what I did not have to because she truly wanted to see me get him. I bought Gavelin on December 28th, 1995 as a Christmas present to myself. The next week Laura and another friend, John Stanger went to pick up Gavelin from Fenton and deliver him to the barn down the street from my house where I would be keeping him in rural Bridgeton, where I grew up.One of the big highlights in Bridgeton was riding in the Bridgeton 4th of July parade. For 18 years it was still great to ride in a parade, whether it was the 4th of July parade, or the St. Patrick's, Veil Prophet parade, or the Christmas parade downtown. The Creve Coeur Days parade was always a must, too (every year we won the best costume award, adorned as a Plains Indian woman and her trusty Appaloosa steed). I would be willing to bet if you ever attended any of these parades and ever took any pictures of the horses there is a great chance he is in one of your photos!Gavelin was not saddle broken when I bought him, but he always learned quickly. I had not had him long when another good friend, Lucy Boenker, asked to use him for a trail ride. She rode him along highway 270 (the shortcut between my house and hers without having to ride through the subdivision) and he was fine. I knew at the moment she told me her route taken he was truly a priceless horse.He was also taken across the old St. Charles Rock Road bridge a few times on the outside walkway, and across the bridge.I rode him to Creve Coeur Park often with Lucy and Laura, to Florissant Valley, onto the Golden Eagle Ferry to cross the river, and we cantered on Galveston Island Beach in Texas. He would stand on a rock like an elephant, or pull a buggy, cart, log, or sled and rider. He'd been all over Eminence (and Missouri, for that matter) trail riding and showing. He would go swimming in a pond or quarry, or go jumping on a trail, course, or at a show. He would run crazy, act silly, or give pony rides to adults and children. He was a horse people would stand in line to take out for a ride on our property at parties at our house. Regardless of what he was doing, he was always kind.From 1986 to 1988 he was boarded at the Bader's. My mom helped me out quite a bit with him and fed him in the mornings during her morning walks so I could just get up and go to school. I took the evening feedings. During this time Gavelin was known to playfully steal tools off a bench and drop them at different locations in the pasture from time to time. That must have been where he picked up the habit of walking around with his feed tub or bucket, or a feedbag in his mouth to let you know he wanted food (which was more often than not)! He loved to eat.In 1987 my fiancé, Jeff, and I picked our wedding date, which was the Saturday closest to Gavelin's birthday.In 1988 I wanted Gavelin in our wedding, but my parents were not thrilled with that idea. Cowboy boots were the closest I came to having horse things in my wedding. Instead, Lisa Sargent, took wedding pictures of Gavelin and me in Jefferson Barracks Park. We had attracted a small audience during the photo shoot, and they are some of my most priceless photos.In 1990, Gavelin in the play Camelot: we was King Arthur's trusty steed.In 1994 we had an open house party, with the horses there to ride. After the party died down, but the food was still out on the tables, the horses were set free from being tied. Gavelin was the first to the table ands helped himself to the smorgasbord (the horses had to get tied up, again).In 1998, on the 4th of July we missed the Bridgeton parade because, together, we delivered Suzette Dunnigan to her awaiting groom, John, in our doctor's buggy. John and Suzette drove Gavelin away after their wedding ceremony.We rode miles and miles throughout Bridgeton and surrounding counties, south county, where we moved after I married my wonderful husband, Jeff, then Jefferson County, and too many other places to mention. We rode in horse shows at Horse Palace in St. Charles, the Hillsboro Horse Show when they still held jumping and driving classes, Jefferson County Trail Riders show in Grubville, God's Green Acres shows in Ware, benefit shows at several arenas, driving shows put on by the St. Louis Carriage Club, Appaloosa shows all over Missouri, Appaloosa shows where we performed jumping and driving from Iowa to Oklahoma, and twice, in 1998 and 1999, in Fort Worth, Texas at the World Championship Appaloosa Horse Show.Gavelin lived with Lola Abeln here and there when she needed an extra horse, or when I needed him to stay some where for a while (I have always appreciated her kindness). Lola learned to jump and drive with him.He was loaned out to so many people because he could be trusted. My son, Joe, grew up riding and handling him. He drove him on cart at an Appaloosa show in Illinois in March of this year, 2003. Together they came home with 1 ½ national points in driving. Gavelin went back to Illinois for an Appaloosa show in May for jumping classes, and did very well, and a week later carried m6y mom in the Creve Coeur Days Parade. Who would have known he would have finished his last year with such great memories for us.
Gavelin was living at Lola's house for a while, and he had three pasture mates: one younger, and two older than him. His preference was to play with the younger company, although he enjoyed the standing around with the older crowd, too. We can only speculate he was doing what he loved to do.I was out of town when I received the call. His front right leg was broken all the way through, above his knee. Lola was with him while we were on the phone, both knowing he needed to be put to sleep. I asked her to put the phone up to his ear so I could talk to him. We both chuckled a little, because it did sound like an odd request. I told Gavelin I was very sorry about what had happened, I loved him, and I was going to miss him. Lola got back on the phone and told me his ears were going back and forth while I was talking to him, and I knew he knew it was me.I knew I couldn't be greedy about the situation. Gavelin had lived a very full life, and it was time to let him go with dignity, for all involved. Dr. Darland grieved with all of us as he was humanely put to sleep.I miss him so much as I type this, and it will all be hard to swallow for a while. One of my younger friends sent a card saying she couldn't know how I feel, but it must be like losing a son. At this point in my life I feel she is filled with much wisdom and is probably right, for I have truly lost a family member who has been in my life and family for 18 years, and I was the one who shaped, taught, shared, and loved him the most, like a mother would. Just like a family member, there are so many stories to tell, and not enough space in which to put them. He is sadly missed, but will always be in the hearts of so many.I want to thank all the friends who have shared our loss and sorrow; it means a great deal to us.My friend, Molly Fox, lost her 27 year old mare in the same way, and when I called to tell her the sad news, she told me she had an article on losing a horse. She copied it for me, and it helped to read it. The article (Special Report: Of Love and Loss) was published in Equus magazine #238, August 1997, and is a wonderful article I would strongly suggest to anyone who owns an animal, especially a horse.Respectfully,Kim Rumpsa and family
