Tuesday~
Thanks Alex:
Update 1446: The seventh clip of Barbaro from the Hennegan Brothers: Derby morning, coming onto the track at Churchill.
Sunday’s Daily News had an article on the film they are making, its the second story: Barbaro legacy lives on in film.
Hennegen videos
Anyone who has not viewed these videos on YouTube…you must. So few words…yet they say so much. This is the Barbaro I will remember and I’ ll probably get a real tongue- lashing for saying this…I hope not…I have been a fan and a supporter of his fight all along… but after seeing these tapes I am almost relieved that he did not live on just to “do time on Planet Earth”, living most of his day in a stall, being only hand- walked for fresh air and exercise. When I close my eyes now I’ ll see him galloping along on a misty morning, ears pricked, having the time of his life…and not limping across the grass ourside of New Bolton Center. And I will go on worshipping Michael Matz same as I have since about age 10 when he won the AGA Rider of the Year…on AGA Horse of the Year Jet Run (the first handsome bay superstar in Michale’ s career!!). A Horseman and a Gentleman.
I have not been following this thread in great depth, checking it periodically. I haven’t been on in days and just wondering if they have chosen a burial site? thanks
Just to clarify–NancyM did not write that–she was quoting Two Simple from a page before–NancyM simply told us who Susan was and then added her own reply to Two Simple’s comment. I don’t know either of these people, but don’t attribute that quote to NancyM–it was Two Simple’s.
Just to clarify 
I cannot watch the videos now! Perhaps when more time has passed I can take a peak. For now I can gaze at his pictures that I have sprinkled around my desk.
Like VB I miss him terribly.:sadsmile:
Go Bobby Go!
No, not yet. I will post it here when I hear.
I’m with Gunnar. I can’t watch the videos now. I’m going to try to save them.
After my mare died, it was over a year before I could get myself to watch old videos. One day I locked myself in a room with a bottle of wine, and watched them all and cried for hours. Now I can watch them and smile.
I think there will be a time when I can watch the Barbaro videos and see just the joy and not the tragedy. Right now, it’s just too fresh 
.
I’m not usually that way, but I have to say that I can’t look at any of the pictures or videos yet either - maybe in another week or two. People that I work with who are non-horsey, but know that I am into horses and racing, keep mentioning it and I just say “yes, it’s very sad” and then change the subject ASAP… So sad, and he is missed so much. Thank you VB and the others for all of theupdates etc…
Thank you VB for keeping us all so closely connected to Barbaro and his family. All valiant and all heroes.
I have been reading all of the posts since the beginning and have not made any comments.
I think the efforts of all involved trying to save the horse were truly incredible and want to thank VB and Alex for keeping us updated. I believe as the Jackson’s believe, you owe the animal loyalty, and they were to the end. To those who criticized the people who tried to help Barbaro, guess that is their opinions. Barbaro looked very healthy and pain-free to me before he developed problems in all legs; and his people knew when to let him go. If the medical profession never tried new techniques on humans as well as animals, there would not be the increase in longeavity we are having now. And from Barbaro, Dr. Richardson and other doctors may be able to save some other horse from a shattered limb or save a horse from laminitis. And the same goes for humans, Chris Reeves is a good example of that. Physicians have learned more from his situation.
It could be your horse or your loved one that could be saved one day.
To Jennifersw
Thank you for expressing my exact thoughts.
As for MM , he is the absolute best, he treated his jumpers like no other.
The horse ALWAYS came first.
VB–I want to thank you very much for the tremendous job you’ve done (and continue to do) in keeping us in the loop about dear Barbaro.
When we lost him, I couldn’t have been more upset than if it had been one of my own. I think your work played a large part in the sense of ownership we all felt. I wonder if he somehow knew that all his surrogate mommies (and daddies) were waiting in support of his recovery; he certainly tried his heart out.
We won’t ever forget him. Thanks for giving us a place to gather.
Please pass our appreciation along to Alex.
Thanks Alex~
Update 1449: Michael Blowen, who runs Old Friends writes an open letter: OLD FRIENDS’ MICHAEL BLOWEN ON THE DEATH OF BARBARO and makes some valid points. It would be nice to see, with the influx of slot money, monies set aside for horses that no longer can compete for their retirement.
Remembering Barbaro: ‘America’s Horse’ Who Touched the World, from UPenn, includes the following:
After Barbaro was euthanized Monday morning, January 29, President Amy Gutmann issued the following statement: "We are truly heartbroken to learn of the death of Barbaro. He was a magnificent animal, who fought towards recovery throughout these past months with a grace and spirit that was an inspiration to us all. Our hearts go out to his devoted owners, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, to his brilliant and caring surgeon Dean Richardson, and to all the devoted staff at Penn’s New Bolton Center who took such magnificent care of Barbaro all these months.
“Barbaro was a true athlete, whose unwavering spirit and will to live touched the hearts of thousands of people throughout the country and the world. He became ‘America’s horse,’ and despite his injuries and illness brought joy to the hearts of so many. We will miss him.”
[QUOTE=Wind;2198019]
I have been reading all of the posts since the beginning and have not made any comments.
I think the efforts of all involved trying to save the horse were truly incredible and want to thank VB and Alex for keeping us updated. I believe as the Jackson’s believe, you owe the animal loyalty, and they were to the end. To those who criticized the people who tried to help Barbaro, guess that is their opinions. Barbaro looked very healthy and pain-free to me before he developed problems in all legs; and his people knew when to let him go. If the medical profession never tried new techniques on humans as well as animals, there would not be the increase in longeavity we are having now. And from Barbaro, Dr. Richardson and other doctors may be able to save some other horse from a shattered limb or save a horse from laminitis. And the same goes for humans, Chris Reeves is a good example of that. Physicians have learned more from his situation.
It could be your horse or your loved one that could be saved one day.[/QUOTE]
Here, here. Well said.
And VB thank you for all you’ve done.
Wednesday~
Thanks Alex~
Update 1452: Barbaro has clearly touched many of us, which in many cases has manifested into giving: Barbaro’s Memory Spurs Retirement Program Donations, excerpt:
Two weeks ago, before Barbaro’s recovery took a turn for the worse, the Friends of Barbaro, an Internet-based fan group presented Old Friends, an equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., that is home to 24 ex-racehorses including Breeders’ Cup champion Sunshine Forever, with an unexpected gift in honor of trainer Michael Matz’s birthday. Matz trained Barbaro.
"I called over to his farm and left a message and told him, ‘If you’re looking for your birthday presents, they’re over here at Old Friends because these people raised nearly $700 for these old retired horses,’ " said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends.
And while opening the daily mail, Blowen was taken aback to find a check for $1,500 from a Maryland racing fan for a run-in shed.
I spoke briefly to Peter Brette yesterday. He noted that he and Michael had received many many kind expressions of good will over the last week.
He also noted Chelokee worked well yesterday and Round Pond may be working this morning for a March return to the races. I also spoke to Gary Stevens. I wanted to thank him for writing the “letter to the editor” to the LA Times. He noted that others had also done the same.
Now its time to really push forward on anti horse slaugher, calling your representative and congressmen, and encouraging others you know to do the same.
Another excerpt from the above mentioned article, Barbaro’s Memory Spurs Retirement Program Donations:
Barbara Luna, executive director of ReRun, said the New Jersey-based Thoroughbred adoption group has also been the beneficiary of the generous spirit demonstrated by so many ordinary people who followed Barbaro’s valiant eight-month fight for life after breaking down during last year’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course.
“We’ve gotten in a few donations,” Luna said. “We’re not going to solicit. And while ReRun won’t turn down donations, I really feel as though the money should go to the New Bolton Center for research on laminitis. They do such good work there.”
How incredibly kind and generous Luna was to feel that the donations should go to NBC when all adoption groups can desperately use any $ they can get. It caused me to shed a tear for sure.
I was at my barn today and some one made mention of Barbaro and how sad it was for him to be put down after such a valiant effort…then the next comment was I wonder how much semen they got. I told her none and she didn’t believe me! Also she said that his ashes are to be buried at CD is this true?
No mention of where he is to be laid to rest. I will post it here when I know.
Thanks Alex~
Update 1455: A nice essay that helps explain what Barbaro means to his broad fan base: America’s Pony. I would comment on the end of the essay when Barbaro’s legacy is discussed. Shortening races will yield no benefit, but put further emphasis on speed, Polytrack is one of three brands of synthetic tracks, and there is no mention regarding the move to push through anti horse slaughter legislation.
Thursday~
Thanks Alex~
Update 1457: Sports Illustrated has a nice Barbaro story: A champion until the end, Barbaro touched us with his grace and fighting spirit. The following is an excerpt:
Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby in the manner of an athlete who is evolved beyond his peers. He cut a massive, striking pose in the Derby paddock before the race, taller and more muscled than the others in the race. The breeding industry buzz had been that Barbaro would one day do his best running on the grass. As Barbaro circled the Churchill paddock, Jill Baffert, the wife of three-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, turned to her husband and said, “You better hope he’s a grass horse.”
I remember that quote from Mrs. Baffert, in response to her husband’s comment that Barbaro was supposed to be a grass horse.
