DRACONIA KEEP where Magic and Dr

DRACONIA KEEP where Magic and Dreams Become Reality

July 26, 2008

Saying Goodbye to Our Prize

Wow. Today's going to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. In 2003, our daughter won Harmon's Lick Winingticket (see Prize's page here), and from day one, we adored her. We've loved her foals, and we've loved watching her grow up into the solid, gorgeous mare that we knew she'd be.

For more than five years, Prize has been in our pasture always waiting to be loved on, always wanting just one more brush, one more pat on the neck. She's hugged me when I've cried and smiled indulgently when I screamed in excitement. I delivered her second daughter, and I loved both her girls as much as I did their mom.

I swore I'd never sell her.

But I've learned never to say "never". A new friend of ours came over to see our horses, and Hope fell in love with Prize--and it was mutual. Prize seemed to take to her like she'd never taken to anyone before--except us.

And Hope wanted to take her home.

Oh, I baulked and cried and said, "NO!" But Hope really wanted her. I didn't think it would happen. They didn't have a barn safe enough to put her in, didn't have any fencing or anything.

I should have known that when Hope wants something, she is determined.

A brand new beautiful barn (I AM GREEN!!) and new fencing and more than a year later, and Prize and Melody, her first foal along with Skye, Draconia Bequest of Skye, her foal from this year, are going to Hope's to stay. (Skye will come back here when she's weaned--if Hope will let her...<G>)

Hope's even having a party this evening to celebrate. I don't know if I'll feel like laughing...all I can do now is cry.

Even though I am happy for Hope that her dreams are coming true, I can't help feeling like I'm losing a friend. I remember when I bought my first Morgan, how thrilled I was. How euphoric to have her finally come to our property. And I don't begrudge Hope those feelings, but I can't help almost wishing she'd chosen someone else. :(*

Prize will be happy with Hope, and Hope will take wonderful care of her. She's only 25 minutes away. Someday Hope will breed Prize for me again. I look forward to that.

But I'll do my crying now. Maybe no one will see my tears this afternoon.

Or maybe I can go behind the barn and weep into Prize's mane one more time...

Tori