The Natural Passes
Friday, May 5, 2006
The Natural, one of the all-time greats of the roadster world, died this week at Crumpler Stables in Simpsonville, Ky. from an acute aortic rupture. His passing was quick, and the Crumplers want to assure The Natural’s legion of fans that he did not suffer. In fact, he took his last breath with his head cradled in Kim Crumpler’s lap.
Brought out by Raymond Shively as a four year-old, The Natural held numerous world titles in the open and amateur divisions for several owners. He had been at Crumpler Stables for the past ten years, most recently owned by Kim and Fran Crumpler.
Prior to last month, The Natural had not been shown since 2003. Although the horse was not officially retired, Fran Crumpler said that they never thought they’d show him again. He had a different idea about that. Never happy turned out, The Natural was kept up and jogged daily. Fran Crumpler said he just kept getting better and better. The decision was made to take him to the recent J. D. Massey Classic Horse Show where he won Youth Roadster To Bike with Michael Bacon on the lines.
“He was as good as ever,” said Crumpler of this ageless champion. “He would always paw when the truck was being loaded for a show without him. In fact, when we led him out to the truck [to go to J.D. Massey] he grew six inches, as if to say ‘Oh boy, I finally get to go to a show again!’”
A full tribute to The Natural will follow later.
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