2011 CT Gathering Calendars

Jay, if not too late id like to buy 1. If too late my loss.

 

Calendars came out great, Jay. Thanks!

 

Wish I could have picked mine up this morning. I had family in from NJ and was not able to sneak away.

 

In the summer of 1998 Piglet was part of Dave's, a polo teammate, string of ponies. Dave had a hard fall in our last practice match prior to our team traveling to Vermont for a tournament. Still hurting from the tumble Dave soldiered on and made the trip to Vermont with his ponies. However, on arriving at the polo field he wisely decided to return to Connecticut to seek medical attention for the injuries that he had suffered. He generously left his ponies behind for the rest of our team to utilize. Fortunately I was allowed the use of Piglet. She was straight on the ball, stopped, turned and accelerated well. She had tremendous heart and gave 100% effort at all times. Her only weakness was her lack of top speed. We could work around that by making certain that we were in the right position on the playing field and not having to use top speed runs to recover from my mistakes. She turned out to be the most consistent playing horse I had for the five day match. We were sad to have to return her to Dave when we arrived back home. But return her we did. She spent the winter of '98-'99 earning her keep as a school horse at a local hunt seat riding school. She carried the novice riders assuring that their experience would be both fun and safe. In the spring of '99 Dave phoned to advise that he hadn't recovered physically and he decided to retire from polo for good. He asked if we would be interested in adding Piglet to our ever growing herd of polo ponies. She was in our barn the very next day.

Piglet was the name that she came to us with but we always called her Gigs. I have no recollection of how we came to call her this but the name stuck. Gigs was already at the age where most sport horses were thinking about retiring to a nice green pasture. But she was in great condition for her age and we estimated that she could play two more seasons. She went on to play both indoor and outdoor polo. And she played and played and played. Although she showed no signs of wanting to call it quits my conscience was bothering me and just I had to retire her after eight seasons of hard work. She sat out the 2007 season but her normally stoical personality turned to agitation on polo nights as she watched polo from her stall in the barn. So like Brett Favre she came out of retirement for the 2008 outdoor season. We initiated a new polo teaching program on Thursday evenings for new players, old players, green horses and senior horses. The program offered a great opportunity for everyone to learn with play held at a lower speed. Gigs was able to contribute from her years of valuable experience and more importantly - she enjoyed herself. When the 2009 season came we got her into shape following her winter rest and we picked up right where we left off the previous season. One evening, halfway through the season, as we headed to the polo field she stopped abruptly and refused to move. She had just submitted her request to retire. She and I then came to a compromise that would work for both of us. If she went onto the field and played at whatever speed made her comfortable then this would be her last chukker. She agreed. With about one minute left to play, as the faster horses all overran the ball, we found ourselves all open just 30 to 40 yards from goal. This was the most pressure I've ever felt to make a good shot. I had to make it for her after all that she'd given The swing was made, the ball struck and it was on target for a goal. We rode to the center of the field. I hopped off, gave her a big hug and a quick ear scratch. We walked off the playing field together for the last time. Gigs was now officially retired.

Now at an estimated 31 years of age and recently retired she struck up a romance with Pegasus one of our geldings. She really seemed to enjoy the attention that he gave her. She also enjoyed interacting with the guests at the Autumn View Farm most especially during the car gatherings. StreamlineGT took a photo of her at the 2010 AVF Gathering and posted it on FChat for everyone to enjoy. It turned out that this was the next to last photo that we would have of her. Her health took a significant turn for the worse in mid-November. We were able to give her five or six more very good weeks with the diligent work of our veterinarians. We watched her still occasionally running in her pasture with her friends and enjoying rolling in the dust bowls. By the end of December we finally found it necessary to give her the most peaceful end that we could. I contacted UConn and requested that he include a copy of Gigs' picture in the new calendar that chronicles the events of 2010. He, without hesitation, agreed to include her photo. I know that the page layout was already completed and that he needed to obtain a copy of the original shot from Brendon and arrange for expedited delivery of the finished calendars. But he did so without complaint. I'm certain that the calendars would have been distributed earlier if not for my special request. So thanks to everyone for their patience. Very very special thanks to Jay and Brendon for fulfilling my request.

I hope that everyone will enjoy their 2011 calendar and when you turn to September and see a shot of a tired, old pony polo that you'll remember the story that goes with the picture of Gigs. That's what I'll be thinking when I turn to September.

Thanks to Gigs - we had one hell of a great ride !!!!!
- Ed -

 

All the dry eyes say "AYE!"




Silence was abound.

 

Wow that's really sad. Thanks for sharing the story Ed.

 

Nice story. No reason to be sad, she had a full and happy life with people who appreciated her and provided her with that life. She made them as happy as they made her happy.

 

Jay, were any extra made? I have been off the net for a long time and missed this.

 

Jay,

Thanks for taking the time to put these calendars together each year. It turned out great again this year. It is now proudly hanging on the wall in my office. It makes all the days like Friday worth it. I can't wait until March!

Joe