A Colorful Woman

She was beautiful.

A high maintenance gal with a whole lot of attitude.

You might call her a pain in the ass. I did. But when she was doing her thing, she was amazing to watch. At least to me.

We put down our Purebred Arabian mare "Cleo" this morning. She had been suffering from several serious ailments. She was the second horse I've lost and I'll tell you it's worse than any dog or cat I ever had to bury.

Her show name was "Outrageous", due to the large patches of white hair that covered her body.

Not to mention, blue eyes more seductive than Elizabeth Taylor.

I wanted to call her "Cleo-splatra" as a tribute to her unusual markings and her Arabian Egyptian blood lines. So, we compromised on Cleo as her barn name.

She was unique and a real head turner.

It took a few years before judges were comfortable enough to acknowledge her in the Arabian Horse Show ring.

After all, purebreds simply didn't look like her.

She went on to win a half dozen U.S. National Top 10 Awards and numerous regional championships.

But she wanted to do it her way and she tested you at every turn.

I had a roper tell me one time that Arabians were too stupid to be a good horse.

He lectured me about quarter horses and how superior they were, after all, they did what he told them.

My wife Lori responded by saying, "You ask any horse to go right, it goes right. Left and it goes left. You ask an Arabian to go right, and it wants to know WHY."

I went to the Vet hospital last night after the late show with Lori to say our goodbyes.

Cleo was heavily sedated to help with the pain and would lean on you for a few moments.

Then, as if to declare she was still in charge, nudge you away.

She was one to remember, with a look you'll never forget.