Our dear friend, Richard Surovi was laid to rest yesterday, after a battle with lung cancer took him from us.  Those of us with very heavy hearts united to celebrate his life and mourn his passing, had our hearts lighted a bit by Richard’s horse Champion.

 The family asked us to honor Richard by bringing a horse to the cemetery and having Richard’s dress boots in the stirrups backwards signifying the Fallen Warrior.  The family never asked for Champion, but our first thought was that Champion be there to honor the man who loved him and took care of him for so many years. 

 Our problem was two fold, Champion has not been an easy horse to load in the trailer; he had never really been off the property except for two trips to the vet in all the years he was at Summer Wind Stables.  We were also dealing with rain and then lots of snow over the weekend.  We were worried about slippery snow covered roads.  In our memory was the one time Richard decided to take Champion on a trail ride, all saddled up and ready to go.  We tried to load Champion in the trailer and he literally sat down at the ramp of the trailer with his feet in front of him, and sitting on his hind end, refusing to go any further.

 Michelle, Mike, Larissa, and Clay set off to clean up, saddle, and load Champion to meet Richard, his family and friends at the cemetery.  We were armed with grain, hot bran mash, medication if needed, and the determination of people who loved Richard and wanted to honor him. 

 Katie and I went to Church, meeting Maggie, Miss Kathie, and Debbie Sords.  The plan was to call Clay when we left church so they could get to the cemetery ahead of Richard and the procession of family and friends.  Thumbs up.  Champion was on the trailer!  We also brought Black Jack, thinking that Champion would be more comfortable with another horse, and we had a back up if needed.

 Anyone who ever wonders why we all love, feed, clean up after, and spend all our money on these huge majestic animals would know why after witnessing Champion at the cemetery yesterday.  Those of you who know him, will remember his little attitudes with Richard.  He had days when brushing and getting ridden were not really what He wanted to do.  Even getting petted was at times bothersome for Champion.  We have to remember he is a thoroughbred who was at the racetrack for many years.  He also had been to two veterinary hospitals and never even on a trail ride before yesterday. 

 Yesterday as the procession pulled up to the cemetery, Champion was waiting, with a strong, cold, blowing wind whipping.  Michelle and Larissa holding Champion, Mike holding BJ, and Clay in charge.  Mourners got out of their cars, many even walking right up behind a very relaxed Champion.  He had his back leg relaxed, his ears forward, and was very quiet and relaxed, with a very soft, kind look on his face.  As everyone entered the building they formed a circle around Richard.  Champion was brought to the door and stood with us for the prayers and final goodbyes to our dear friend.  Those of us that know Champion and have felt the power of an animals love for their human companions were in total awe witnessing the expression of kindness and relaxation and love on Champion’s face.  He had come to say good bye to the man who brushed him, fed him, put him out to run around, brushed him again, learned to ride him, and had the special bond only a horse and their owner can have.  Champion truly lived up to his name again today, as he put a little warm spot in our very heavy hearts.

 Clay and I have given our lives to running Summer Wind, and I know I can speak for both of us when I say how truly fortunate that we have such a large, beautiful family here.  People who truly love each other, help each other, care for each other, hurting when one of us is hurting.  We lost one of our own, who loved us so much, and we will miss him forever.  I know he looks down on us with love, and he will watch out for us, and someday we will meet again.