The Classic Spirit Story

Just who is Classic Spirit and why is the book series named for him?

Classic Spirit - "Spock" as I called him, was purchased as a 3 yr. old stallion in January of 1985. He had run on the turf as fitting a Bold Ruler grandson, but apparently didn't care for the track. He came east that year after being turned out, arriving at a local barn a little scruffy, resembling more of a donkey. His mane was about 8 inches long! He was okay at the walk, trot, and canter, although a little uninspired. When I tested him over a gymnastic of cross rails, he burst with enthusiasm and interest. This was something he could do despite not having the conformation to be able to jump well. He was sold to me for around $3000.00. It was all the money I had at the time.

While he would "put up" with the flatwork necessary to build his topline and muscles to be able to jump, he liked nothing better than to spring into the air over an obstacle. One of his nicknames was "Sprocket Rocket". He believed he could jump anything, and when I rode him, I believed it too. He even loved to gallop around a ring and jump on his own, looking back over his shoulder to make sure his audience had watched and offered their applause.

We trained and competed for almost four years, arriving finally to the most incredible moment of our partnership together---the International Jumping Derby in Newport, Rhode Island. For ten years I had attended the Derby as a spectator, not able to imagine what it would be like to be good enough to step foot on that course. This was the last year the Derby would be held in Newport since the farm holding the famous event had been sold. It was the hardest course in North America for jumpers at that time, set up much like a European course with natural obstacles and ditches. We would ride there at the Amateur Owner level, which was more like Grand Prix courses offered elsewhere in the country. I watched as people like Margie Goldstein and other well known riders retired mounts on the course. Only the best were here. When it was our turn to tackle the course, I had a choice. Tip my helmet to ride another day, or see what we had learned together. We rode. We got around the first day (with penalties) but finished the course. The next day, we retired at Pulverman's Grob. (Pulverman, the man who designed the obstacle, is rumored to have been killed attempting to jump it himself.) No dishonor here!

Later that year "Spock" was high nailed by a blacksmith at another show, resulting in a serious abscess, which laid us up for more than one year. He didn't have great feet, and he needed time to heal. After bringing him back, I decided it was time to sell him and go forward with another young horse. I couldn't afford two horses, afterall.

Spock was sent to a nationally known trainer. Yes, someone was found who wanted him, but the offer was not what I hoped to receive. I waited. Deciding I had waited long enough, I asked for Spock to be returned to me. What I received back, was not the horse I knew. He had turned inward. There was no evidence of his spark of life and sense of self I had known. His eye was dead. His body showed no evidence of maintenance of flatwork. His spirit was gone. I vowed to restore him to himself and inwardly asked him for forgiveness.

Every day at 7 a.m., before I went to work, I rode Spock. I stretched him long and low as tears streamed down my cheeks, saying over and over, "I'm sorry…never again I promise. Please trust me and try agai." It took about 9 months for Spock's inner and outer voice to return, and for his physique to regain it's balance.

After that time, Spock competed with me, but was plagued by a groin pull. I sent him to my best friend in Houston, Stephanie Clark. With time off he recovered, and Stephanie competed him at the Pin Oak Charity show held at the Great Southwest Center. She was Champion in the Adult Amateur Jumpers. Riley Robertson competed him that same year, pinning 3rd in the Junior Amateur Division, tying with the then number one Amateur Jumper in the country. Spock was back!

Soon after, an inquiry was made to purchase Spock. Stephanie did not trust the prospective buyers to do more than jump Spock until he broke down, then leave him as is. I had made Spock a promise, and intended to keep it. I would not discuss the sale of Spock to the prospective buyer, much as I needed the funds.

Stephanie and I came to an agreement, and to this day, Spock has been under her care. He has competed through 4th level dressage and helped children gain mileage in the Limit and Childrens' hunter divisions.

Spock jumped because he loved it, because he believed he could, and because he had the heart to do it. I firmly believe he wanted his rider to respect and appreciate that about him. I will always be grateful he shared that with me, and taught me how to ride the "big" jumps. I've not had the means to repeat that, but once again as time marches to Spock's birthday on April 10, I will say thank you to the horse whose registered name, Classic Spirit, describes what true horsemen admire about this noble and giving animal called the horse.