In praise of a horse, Colleen affectionately known as Coco (1994-2021), dam Tarish (granddam Arabelle) hand bred by Paul Kendall to his stallion Omar at the Kedron Valley Stables.
At three years, she began her career as a trail horse doing inn to inn and pleasure rides.
In the early 2000s, I rode her 3 consecutive years in the Vermont 1 Day 100 Mile Endurance Ride when the start was at the Rojek’s Smoke Rise Farm.
In 2005, I persuaded Paul to sell her to me because I loved her so.
She was the most elegant of mares, had the loveliest gaits, her floating trot stopped people in their tracks, so regal were her movements.
For the past 10 years Coco’s been my Summer companion at Bashon Brook and the rest of the year she’s taught riding to countless kids of all ages at the Kedron under Christina Phillips VanZandt’s guidance.
In recent years she developed the sweetest disposition, I loved taking my daughters on rides with her.
And I loved trail riding on Fletcher with Christina on Dougie, her son Carter on Pride and her 3 year old daughter Cadance on Coco.
This picture was taken on one of my last rides with Coco. It was a typically wonderful ride with Coco on a typically perfect summer day at the farm. I’m gonna miss her this summer. I already do.
Deepest appreciation to my friend and equine mentor Christina Phillips whose devotion allowed Colleen to have the wonderful active long life she had and allowed me to enjoy Colleen’s companionship all these many years.
Christina was with Coco through thick and thin and to the very end.
There aren’t words.
Thank you Christina.