Tribute
to Mary Frey

I was giving a clinic at Columbia Riding Club at the end of April 2006 when my friend and fellow club member Mary Frey said to me she wanted to sell me her horse Joanie.

I was surprised, and said, you do know I have been looking for a lesson horse for some years. Mary agreed to a trial at my farm, and within a day my heart was touched by her lovely mare. Joanie was everything I was looking for.

In retrospect, I feel Mary was finding a safe home for her baby. Several weeks later, Mary was diagnosed with cancer.

Joanie went to her first dressage show the day before Mary’s chemo began. It seemed that whole first season that whenever Mary needed encouragement, Joanie would have an exceptionally good show. I was delighted beyond words when that sweet mare won both classes at the summer’s last dressage show and ended up high point champion for the season.

Mary and I rejoiced even more when the pathology test following her surgery early in November was negative. Prayers had been answered, the tumor was much smaller than surgeons had expected.

But our joy was short-lived. Mary’s struggles continued, then became even more serious. We lost her on this earth on October 22, 2007.

Joanie and I continue to do our best. Sometimes in the barn I feel Mary’s presence strongly. It reminds me of a story I told her at a show one time about when my uncle and my mother were young children. My uncle had weak ankles and wore casts for some years, but he was still able to play baseball. His doctor asked him, how do you do this? Oh, my uncle answered, I hit the ball and my sister runs around the bases for me.

Every time I work with Joanie, I feel I’m running around the bases for Mary.

© 2006-2008 Montie Eagle, Eagle Glenn Farm
All Rights Reserved

Comments about this site: Webmaster