Phoebe Kate

Yeah, he was just a horse.  But ohhhh – what a horse… 

And no, I’m not one of those folks who thinks Barbaro departed this earth a year ago today and became an angel.  I’m just an animal lover who grew up around horse racing and love horses and mourn the loss of a glorious creature who showed what he was made of on-track and off.

And yes, he is an example of grace under fire and courage in the face of adversity.  He — a mere animal – was a more cooperative patient at the New Bolton Center than most of us are when we get carted off to the hospital for some unpleasant procedures.

Whether we’re comfortable with the idolization and idealization of an animal or not, Barbaro captured not only headlines but the heart of a nation.  Yes, it’s a phenomenon and you can read about it in my feature for PopMatters last year called America’s Pony.

On a more intimate note.  As a journalist, there really aren’t a whole lot of opportunities to write about something you have personal feelings about.  You write about what’s assigned you whether you’re interested in it or not — and you make it interesting to your readers, despite your own POV, because that’s your job.  You write about what’s popular because it’s popular, not because you like it yourself.  You write objectively because your job is to convey information, not broadcast your own opinion.  America’s Pony was one of the rare moments where I could both write objectively and subjectively at the same time without a conflict. 

Thanks, Barbaro, for giving me the inspiration and the opportunity.  You were a hell of a fine horse, if ever there was one.  I just wish more of us humans embodied the qualities you displayed.   

Rest in peace, my dear equine friend.

–phoebe kate