This week I said goodbye
to my first true love and best friend, Sunne. He was a roan Appaloosa with
a few spots. He was born May 5, 1983 and passed on May 28, 2008.
My aunt purchased Sunne for me when I was 16; she was hoping I'd gravitate
more towards horses and not discover boys, but I already discovered them.
I joke that Sunne was my longest lasting male relationship....boys/men came
and went, but Sunne was always there.
Sunne lived his life at the barn he was born and his previous owner is one
of my best horse buddies. Even when I bred my friend's mare 14 years ago
for a foal (Renegade), Sunne was still my number one horse.
With Sunne, I've done it
all. I rode English and jumped; we did A LOT of trail riding; speed events
and two years ago I got back on my faithful steed's back and rode drill for
the Ohio Top Hands Drill Team. He picked up the drill routine in 2 practices.
He knew when the whistle should be blown and where he should be going.
Sunne was a beginner rider's
dream horse. He helped my 19 year old son and 9 year old daughter learn to
ride when they were younger, along with a few others. When I was concentrating
on Renegade's training, I would lease Sunne out to adult beginners. He became
their first love too and showed them how a great horse behaves and set the
standard for them when they were ready to purchase their own horses. I'm
proud to say that they all agreed the horses they purchased were not Sunne
nor would they be. They found out how special he is and that there was no
duplicating him.
Sunne has touched many lives,
not just my own. He was loved by me, my kids and a number of friends. He
is going to be missed by all, but especially by me. After being blessed to
have Sunne in my life for the past 23 years, there is void left that can
never be filled by another horse.
Letting you go, Sunne, was
the hardest thing I've ever done. Others disagreed, but I loved you so much
that I wanted to let you go with Dignity, Honor and Respect. After being
a faithful steed to me and my family for 23 years, that was the least I could
do for you. The best way I knew how to do that was to let you go before the
pain got unmanageable. I didn't want you to be miserable or suffer any due
to my selfishness of wanting to keep you around.
I love you
always...
Sarah
Sunne 
