Galahad's Puppeteer
Monday, June 9, 2003
The Little Horse With A Big Heart
By Lynn Hutchinson
Early this spring CH Galhad's Puppeteer was humanely laid to rest and will be so greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
For many years this great horses’ fan club has watched and admired him, from the time that he was under the direction of Jimmy Orphanos' Stable, to Steve Crabtree’s Stable and then to his final home at Adam and Desiree Clauson’s Cardinal Farm.
Several years ago word had spread through the industry that this “little horse with the great big heart” was going to become the 10 & Under mount for the cute and gutsy rider Lauren Rives. When this pair headed up to the ring at Florida that spring people were eagerly awaiting their debut.
They were truly a pair to reckon with - but not with out a few bumps along the way. No matter where they appeared their fans were along the rail with words of encouragement and smiles on their faces. But the smiles on the rail were never as big as the smile on little Lauren’s face.
One of his former trainers, John Whalen stated, "He was really special- a little horse with a great big heart. He was one in a million.”
Battling an ongoing problem which worsened over time, the decision was finally made to lay CH Galhad's Puppeteer to rest, of course, not without a lot of soul searching, discussion and many tears.
The day before this was to take place Lauren made one last trip to her beloved horse’s stall to say her final goodbyes. As she left his stall she gave a letter to Desire to put alongside of “puppet”. The letter was thanked him “for always making me look good and just thank you for everything.” Along with the letter was placed a picture of Lauren just so “he would never forget her."
A great individual lost to our industry, but certainly never forgotten - rest in peace old friend.
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