In loving memory Our hearts are breaking; all our love couldn't save him despite the best efforts of Equine Medical and our desperate prayers and wishes. Music: "He Lays in the Reins" - lyrics and info at bottom of page. Click to play.
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Santa Blanca and Leslie - Bliss Stables Halloween Party 2002: He was less than thrilled with the pathetic beard & moustache taped to his halter and the pom pom that bounced on his face, but he patiently carried the sack of toys on his back & did everything except say "ho, ho, ho." |
Jorie & Blanca - Oct. '06 Photo by Stephanie van de Ven |
Leslie saying goodbye to Blanca before heading back to Thacher - Sept 04 |
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The boys were not cooperating as Stef & I tried to take a holiday picture. Trav has latched on to Blanca's nostril, and Blanca really just wanted the antlers OFF! |
Looking for sugar... Leslie & Blanca, WMEC, 2002 |
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Jack's first lesson on Blanca with Sue Hughes |
Blanca in his "Taj Mastall" at Bliss Stables |
Laura and Blanca - October 12, 2008: The day before he colicked. We'd planned to take pictures with Blanca that day & almost didn't do it because of other commitments. I was flinging sugar cubes into the air to get Blanca to put his ears up. It worked, but the concern over the apparent wasting of sugar showed on his face... |
A Drama Queen moment... he wasn't in good shape yet and strong enough to do it correctly, so he's not curving in the right places, but he loved to do this... it's a Lipizzaner thing! (with Leslie - 2003) |
Bringing Blanca "home" - Blanca's former owner, Candy Weimer, says goodbye to Blanca as we welcome him to our family. - July 2000 |
Clinic with Spanish Riding School Bereiter Herbert Seiberl, January 2007 - Blanca is pretty sure there is sugar in those pockets... |
Happy Reunion! Blanca seeing his former Bliss paddock buddy, Sycamore, at the Timberlane Show, Lowell - August, 2004 |
Leslie napping in the sun on Zebra Blanca |
October 2006 photo by Stephanie van de Ven |
Jorie & Blanca headed back to the barn after a lesson with Spanish Riding School Bereiter Rudi Rostek - July 06. |
We were cantering along and all of the sudden he saw somehing reaaaallly interesting that needed his IMMEDIATE attention...! photo by Stephanie van de Ven |
Blanca enjoying a roll after the photo session on October 12. He'd gotten a bath for the photo session and had been so clean... Before me peaceful, Behind me peaceful, Under me peaceful, Over me peaceful, All around me peaceful-- Peaceful voice when he neighs. I am Everlasting and Peaceful. I stand for my horse. - from "The War God's Horse Song" Rest in Peace, Blanca. |
...then he got up and immediately trotted briskly over to us to show us his handiwork. This was the day before he colicked. It was a good day for him - as Stef said, his life was filled with many good days... he just had one bad day. |
With appreciation and gratitude - Stephanie and Michiel van de Ven of Bliss Stables gave Blanca so much loving care and attention during the six years we were at Bliss. Bran mashes in cold weather, nightly carrots and apples, blankets and fly sheets on and off when the weather changed during the day, setting up cribbing stations in his stall... he was so happy at Bliss. A thousand thanks to Stef and Michiel for sharing their Bliss with us. And to Stef, for trailering Blanca to Equine Medical and helping to ease him out of this world surrounded by love - no words are enough. Thanks, Equine Medical ~ |
"He Lays in the Reins"
One more drink tonight as your gray stallion rests
Where he lays in the reins For all of the speed and the strength he gave. One more kiss tonight from some tall stable girl. She’s like grace from the earth When you’re all tuckered out and tame. One more tired thing the gray moon on the rise When your want from the day Makes you to curse in your sleep at night. One more gift to bring we may well find you laid Like your steed in his reins Tangled too tight and too long to fight. - performed by Iron & Wine and Calexico Jorie & Blanca during a clinic with Spanish Riding School Chief Rider Karl Mikolka, 2005 |
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