Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

sushyne — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:52:55 GMT

Beautiful story; bringing tears to my eyes right now....Thank goodness for the Jessicas of the world and thank God for allowing any of us to know a Dennis....

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Fritzel — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:35:48 GMT

I loved Jessica's story about Dennis. No one can measure what she gave the horse or what he gave to her. Both gifts were invaluable.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Susan H. — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:44:56 GMT

That was one of the most beautifully written, heartfelt stories I have ever read. I'm not a real emotional person, but I did cry when I read it. How lucky and wonderful for you both to have found each other....

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

MOM — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:22:55 GMT

Thank you all for your encouraging comments to Jessica, my daughter's article about Dennis. He trully was a champion. She had to keep the tribute short enough to fit in the specified space, but there was so much more to tell. It broke all of our hearts to see him go. I am proud of Jessica for all of their accomplishments together, and for her drive to be the best horsewoman she can be. Thanks, Jessica, for writing the tribute. I love you!

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Soldier Course — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:26:37 GMT

oldgraymare:

Link to today's NYT editorial about retirement issues:

http://tinyurl.com/ne8amu

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Soldier Course — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:23:35 GMT

oldgraymare:

Great to see the article about "Old Friends" in the NYT yesterday. And today (Aug 25) NYT has another one about Thoroughbred retirement issues.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Kaycee — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:38:41 GMT

THis article brought me to tears! The most wonderful quote was"They all have the possibility to be a champion in the life of a child". My deepest sympathies go out to Jessica in the loss of Dennis. I had my first horse for 19 yrs before he had to be put down at the age of 30. I currently have two wonderful large ponies for my children and want my next horse to be an OTTB. They deserve so much more than the slaughterhouse. Thank you Jessica for sharing your story.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Jessica — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:42:55 GMT

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments and shared stories...as Dennis got older and I knew I would lose him soon, I knew I would write a eulogy for him and hoped that I could get it printed...there was a lot more to the original, but it had to be shortened due to space constraints, it was hard to do because there were so many wonderful memories...to those who wanted to see a picture of Dennis, the picture in the print copy of the Bloodhorse is of Dennis and I at his 32nd birthday party...just over 3 months before I lost him.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

oldgraymare — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:01:09 GMT

Hope you all read the front page of the NYTimes today... feature article and video about 'OLD FRIENDS'

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Mary-Ellen Donovan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:27:11 GMT

Jessica: My heart aches for you ! What a wonderful horse he was, and so willing. That's the Thoroughbred, giving his all no matter what the challenge. I've lost a few as well, but they live on in tender memories. All are special. I'm sure there's a heaven, and if you have need of Dennis, God will make sure your buddy will be there waiting for you to ride in the clouds !

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Trudy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:34:39 GMT

I had a grade "part-Arabian, buckskin Appaloosa" named Cody. I can relate with your story, in that he kept me out of trouble all throughout junior high and high school. We, too, did hunt seat, jumping and western pleasure. Heck, we even entered a "one-day, three day event" and finished 12th. Cody was all of 14 1 1/2 inches tall, so a large pony. During that "three day event" on the cross country course, a rather large thoroughbred had to move out of our way at the water jump! I was so proud of that little horse. Thanks for the story.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Hello Hokie from a Fellow Hokie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:03:01 GMT

Way to go! I have several TB horses that need a new LOVING home. Let me know if you are interested.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Rose — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:36:36 GMT

Never owned a horse but, have loved many and your love story has brought a lump to my throat and tears in my eyes...God Bless you and Dennis

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Soldier Course — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:35:02 GMT

Prime Equine:

Thanks for the heartwarming story about your Harvey. That poor guy's been through a lot, hasn't he? He's blessed that you've seen him through all of this with such good care and loving attention.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Somethingroyal — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:16:53 GMT

Thank you, Jessica. Your story is a reminder why I draw Thoroughbred's for a living.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Asst. Hotwalker — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:38:39 GMT

Thank you for the inspiration.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

The Equestrian Vagabond — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:47:43 GMT

Love it! Wonderful that Dennis had such a great after-racing life with you. I ended up with a Thoroughbred that I groomed at the racetrack for 2 years, a grandson of Northern Dancer. He was a decent racehorse at the Washington tracks. He's had me for 11 years now. Since the track he's been a pack string leader for the Forest Service, and a wrangler's horse on a dude ranch. Now, his only jobs are modeling and mowing the lawn. He's happy. : )

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

ruffian — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:28:47 GMT

Jessica, thanks for sharing your story. Dennis was a great champion and I can only hope and pray others will learn from you story!

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Jeanne — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:28:42 GMT

Took me a long time to get to the bottom of all the wonderful comments, just like when I read Steve Haskins story about Lawyer Ron. I am so grateful for all the wonderful horses that bless our lives. Thank you Jessica for such a wonderful story about Dennis; such a beloved friend. They (our horses) are truly special spiritual beings in our lives!

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

quarerhossgal — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:24:52 GMT

What a wonderful story!!!As a 4-leader I can repeat some touching stories about how horses have helped shape the lives of young people. Our first horse was a retired racing quarter horse, her sire was Depth Charge and could she run!! Her kindness was displayed when a paralazed jockey came to visit and she acted like a puupy dog folllowing his wheel chair and nickering to him. He had tears in his eyes as she nuzzled his face. Horses have a sixth sense when humans need compassion, I wish I could say the same thing about people.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Liz — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:56:34 GMT

Wonderful story. We need to hear more stories such as yours. There are many kind souls whose lives have been enriched by sharing them with an OTTB. Good on you!

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Jim Parrish — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:52:47 GMT

Thank you for sharing your obvious heart felt feelings for Dennis and thoroughbreds in general.

I too share your passion and have been in the business 55 years. My love and compassion for these unselfish animals has bought me through some tough times as well.

I sincerely appreciate your story.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Lady Ruffian — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:27:18 GMT

Thank you for sharing yor story. What a champ Dennis was. I wouldn't give up my OTTB or her 2 y.o. filly for anything!

All TB's should have the opprutuinty to show how much they can do off the track (as well as on)

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Karen D — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:10:54 GMT

Jessica, Dennis' legacy was just spread even further through your touching tribute to a precious friend. Thank you for sharing Dennis with all of us. I know the next horse you find will be perfect too, because your eyes and heart are open to what is truly of value.

re: Death of a Champion - By Jessica Yeargin

Lupe from Texas — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:27:35 GMT

AWESOME, JUST AWESOME STORY, THANKS FOR SHARING AND I HOPE OTHERS TAKE NOTICE AND HELP "RETIRED CHAMPIONS"; IN MY HUMBLE OPINION "ALL" RACE HORSES ARE "CHAMPIONS" -THEY GIVE THEIR ALL FOR US!