There’s a saying that goes - we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone.

Well that doesn’t apply here. But losing the good ones hurts all the same.

Stroke was always good. And everybody knew it. It would probably be fair to say, though, that we didn’t know HOW good he would eventually be. When Stephen Weathers started him and tried to buy him, he knew he was a great two-year old. Did he know how great a rope horse he would be? Maybe, but I doubt it. When Arlen Walker made him a rope horse, he knew he was special. Heck he headed on him, heeled on him and roped calves on him and Stroke was good at all of it. Did he know how good a competitor he would be though? Maybe, but I doubt it. When Morgan O’Brien hauled him he won. And he could lend him to just about anybody and they would win, too. I couldn’t haul this horse anywhere without somebody coming out of the stands and asking me, “Is that ol’ Stroke? I needed a horse in the fastback in name-some-random-town and got to ride that horse and won it all. Man, he was sweet!” Did Morgan and all those other guys that won money on Stroke know what an amazing kid horse he would be? I doubt it.

He taught many of Morgan’s grandchildren and he just finished up his time teaching our youngest daughter. What did he teach? Life. He taught life.

He taught her how to care for others - even those with a mane and tail.
And he taught her that to ever succeed - first you got to fail.
He taught her that she’s stronger than she thinks - but he his too.
He taught her that she does like pink - but her favorite color’s blue.
He taught her to go slow and he taught her to go fast.
He even taught her it’s not so bad to end up on your ass.

He taught her how to get up again and get back in the saddle.
And he taught her how to handle pressure and not let herself get rattled.
He taught her what real work is and how to sweat and smile.
He taught her that she can do challenging things - even if it takes awhile.
He taught her independence. And that pain is not that bad.
And now he’s taught her to say goodbye - and that it’s ok to be sad.

Gratification is a wonderful blessing. Stroke, you were one hell of an animal. Thanks old friend.