Ridecamp: [RC] HOW WONDERFUL ENDURANCE PEOPLE ARE/DEATH OF MY HORSE

DEBBIE EKHAML enduroarabians@xxxxxxxxx
To all Endurance riders,
   I write this with the most unimaginable grief.  Yesterday I unexpectedly lost not only my endurance horse, but my buddy, pal,partner and soul.  I want you all to know how wonderful the endurance community is, how supportive even strangers were, and how much it meant to me.  Everyone who knew us when we started in the Pacific South and moved to Colorado and did rides here, knew how incredibly special my Razal was.  He was the kind of horse you rarely come across.  He wasn't a purebred (part Welsh pony) or even expensive (paid $400 for him), he was only 14.1 and 782 pounds,but he was so beautiful and had near perfect conformation.  His personality just drew you to pet him.  He LOVED people with a passion.  Chocolate cookies and onion hamburger buns were his favorites.  In the short 21 months I had him, we did 4 Ride and Ties, 7 Lds, numerous 50's and just completed all 5 days at Ft. Stanton with the 3rd fastest overall time.  And boy could he move!  He was so fast, I never had to ask him for speed.  When I jumped off to run up or down hills, I would leave the reins over his neck and he would follow just off my shoulder.  We were such a team.  People say he was lucky to have me rescue him, but I was the lucky one.  He touched my life in a way that now leaves me so empty I wonder how I can go on.  He LOVED endurance and was just a natural at it.
   I want to first thank Jan and Warren Mutchler who gave up their Sunday, met me at the Clinic and were there for me when I was 8 hours from home and alone.  They put me up for the night, took me to dinner and rented a movie to get me through the evening.  Then Jan packed a nice lunch for my trip home.
Next, Erica and Mark Devoti, who were also there for me and lent me one of their horses to bring home so my 26 year old gelding won't be alone for a while.  These 2 couples are the finest most giving people and I am blessed to have them for friends.
To Gail and Terry Kinter, the vets, Sue Romero and all the people who had kind words and worried faces who's names I don't know.  YOU are what makes this sport so great and I will miss until I find another horse.  You see, I had a 1 horse endurance barn, but in Razal I did not need another.  His star was just starting to shine.  I will never understand why at only 11 years old he was taken from me.  He was my world and I NEVER had a day go by when I didn't thank God for sending me this being that I knew was SO SPECIAL.  THANK YOU everyone for you kindness and PLEASE tomorrow and everyday, hug that beautiful, delicate creature that carries you all those miles because they can be gone in an instant.  Debbie and Razal, the Hooved Missle (that has blasted off for heaven)

For those of you wondering, he got impacted after a ride and his stomach ruptured.  There was nothing they could do.


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