The "2 Lives Long Harnessed Together" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story that was published in my local newspaper that told of a woman who devoted most of her time to her thoroughbred that lived more than 39 years.  Bridget Eukers lived in Windsor, Connecticut and purchased her horse from an owner who lived in Kentucky.  Her horse, known as "Rush, was foaled in Kentucky on May 4, 1983.  He was sold as a yearling for $60,000 and registered as "Dead Solid Perfect."  He ran in races 16 times and won once, in 1986 at the Meadowlands when he was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone.  After his racing career, he was sold to a new owner and trained in dressage.  Bridget's parents bought the horse for their daughter when she was in her early teems.  Bridget attended college close to home so she could stay near Rush.  She turned down jobs that would have cut her time with Rush and didn't socialize much and never went on vacations.  A true love affair for rider and horse!  She very seldom used a halter on him since she and Rush had an understanding.  Rush died when he was 38 years and 188 days old making him perhaps the longest-living thoroughbred in the United States.  The Jockey Club, which is the industry's breed registry, reported that the oldest living thoroughbred was 38 years an 203 days old when he died in 2016.  An Australian thoroughbred lived to be 42, according to Guiness World Records.  Bridget said that her horse would fight for her, and she would fight for him.  "Whether it's your relationship with your horse, with your friends, or with your life partner, that's what it comes down to.  They forged their relationship competing in equestrian events.  Six days a week for years, separated only by a saddle, they honed their skills, moving fluidly together and soaring over obstacles .  For Bridget, being with her horse became a way of life.  In return, he gave her joy by carrying her on his back around show rings and across her family's quilt of farmlands, often at a thundering pace fit for a racetrack.  Bridget said that "It really is a special thrill to feel a ring thoroughbred at full speed underneath you.  It's magic."  Rush was sold as a yearling for $60,000 and registered as Dead Solid perfect.  Bridget stopped riding Rush when he was 35.  He was still able to carry her, but at the time had a different priority.  Bridget's father had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and caring for Rush had to be balanced with researching treatments for her dad.  When her father died in 2019, Rush was no longer fit to be ridden.  On the night of November 7, Bridget stayed with Rush until late, then went home to  get some sleep.  When she returned at 5:30 a.m, Rush had spilled out of his stall onto the cold barn floor.  Bridget had fought for her best friend for as long as she could.  Tough losing a friend, whether it be human or animal.  But, the time they did have together brought many hours of happy memories to Bridget.  Perhaps she will find another new friend in the upcoming months to fill the void in her life that was at one time held by best friend Rush!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.