ASPCA MACLAY 2007 PART 1 - A TRIBUTE TO AARON

Hi, everyone!

Remember the wonderful gelding, named Aaron, that the Polle family had generously allowed me to show for the Ronnie Mutch Equitation class in March of 2007? Well, again, last week, the Polle family extended the same privilege to me, to ride their wonderful horse, Aaron, at the Maclay finals. Unfortunately, on the day Aaron was scheduled to be transported to Syracuse , he took a funny step, an untimely, freakish accident that ultimately resulted in him being put down. Most likely, you have experienced something like this first hand or it may have occurred with either a good friend's horse or barn mate's horse. The shocking news that a horse must be euthanized and encounter an untimely death, leaves most feeling sad and disappointed for the horse and for his owners and caretakers.
So, today, before recapturing the events from the Maclay weekend which will be in Part II of this blog, I wanted to write a tribute to a wonderful horse who touched me and others in a special way.

I recall seeing Aaron in the equitation ring back in 2004 at the WIHS Equitation Championship when Charlie Jayne rode him to third place overall. At first glance, I remember thinking that he had a wonderfully long and smooth stride, and a magnificent, kind and regal look. The next year, 2005, at WEF, I remember seeing him during the season but I especially remember his performance at the Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship when he placed with Catherine Wright, another eq rider, from North Run. Later that year, Catherine rode him at Lake Placid and the pair placed well in the Kathy Scholl Equitation Championship. In 2006, one of my close riding friends, Hilary Dobbs, showed Aaron during the WEF season with great success, and recently she told me that riding and showing him made the equitation truly a special experience for her. Late last year, Aaron was purchased by the Polle family for their daughter, Karen, and began his stay at Beacon Hill. His kind demeanor, sweet personality and elegant style, were all part of what made him special and to me, he stands out as one of the finest eq horses I have ever known.

Aaron was a beautiful, large, bay gelding with a flowing gait, kind face and a charming, charismatic presence. He has touched the hearts of many of the riders of my "era" in the big eq and he will be sadly missed. Although my riding time with Aaron was short-lived, he will always have a special place in my heart.




My sincerest condolences and regrets go to the Polle family for their loss.

Catch up with me later this week for the second part of this blog.
Talk to you later,
Maria Schaub