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hnhamper
Junior Member
 England
30 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 9:33:31 PM
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Many of you will, I think, know Val Cooper (Wessex EGB), and will be sad to know that last Monday she lost her fabulous chestnut gelding, Topaz (aka Tomo). I had the privilege of riding Topaz for a season in 2004 and my tribute to him can be found on the Wessex website, as its a bit long for here.
http://www.wessexendurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=809
Anyone who knows Val (and Mike) will know that she is devastated by losing this lovely horse, who had proved to be such a superstar in the autumn of his years with her grandchildren. Val said "he was so kind and gentle with them, knew what they could and couldn't do, and never stepped out of line with them"
RIP Topaz
Here is a lovely poem, written by one of Val's grand-children, Charlie, who Topaz was teaching to ride. It was written as part of Charlie's homework on the Monday Topaz died, and the topic was " A hero"
Has anyone considered a horse as a hero ?
I don’t mean a race horse
I mean an everyday horse
A horse that someone occasionally rides
One that brings warmth and happiness with every stride
One that walks modest but with pride
A horse and his rider are like “bread and butter”
Their relationship is like no other
If a horse chose to, he could kill his owner
But he does the opposite - in fact, he would give his life
A horse that trusts you is a horse that you can trust
I knew a horse like this
I loved him so much
But now he’s gone
His name was Topaz
He is my hero and this poem is for him.
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Heather Giles
heatherbelle56@googlemail.com
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Edited by - hnhamper on 13 Oct 2009 9:36:29 PM
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 08:20:46 AM
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| Lovely poem. He was obviously much loved. RIP Topaz |
   
West Sussex |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 08:25:29 AM
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| What a lovely tribute, it is always so very sad when an old friend is lost |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Merlot
Platinum Member
England
3260 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 11:21:25 AM
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| Saw this earlier on EGB. Such a sad loss, hugs to all concerned. |
 photo by Eric G Jones |
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lulu
Gold Member
763 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2009 : 11:22:25 AM
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| So sad. I have a memory of Val Cooper being on a programme years ago doing the Golden Horseshoe at Exford and riding Witham Golden Colonel (wasn't he called Opal)? |
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Sad News from Val Cooper
