Last night I received a text message from Lisa Towell letting me know that Brunello’s health was failing. She asked me if I would prepare his obituary, to which I readily agreed. So, this morning I spent a few hours researching and reminiscing about the many years I watched “Ike” and Liza Boyd perform together. My first memory of them was during the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit, just after Ike was imported. Liza showed him in the Second Year Green Hunters, and he was still a bit too jumpery for top ribbons, but you could tell he was going to be something special.
Over the years, I was fortunate to be a part of Ike’s team, photographing and writing about him while cheering him on and joining in the celebrations after his many victories. Many of the photos of Ike on their website are mine, and this one in particular is a favorite. Ike and Liza clear the 4’6” final oxer in the rain on the way to victory in the 2014 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.
I visited him several times during his retirement, where he looked fat, fuzzy and happy in his grass paddock in Camden. If every horse could be as fortunate as Ike, they’d be lucky indeed.
Now, I await the update on Ike’s health after the veterinarians attended to him today. Whatever his fate, I’m sure he’ll have a smooth transition surrounded by those who love and adore him. And if he’s able to rally for more grazing time, I’ll be thrilled and relieved to shelve his obituary for another day.