On Christmas Day, people celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, but we, as a collection of family and friends, lost the most kind and gentle soul ever. This beautiful soul was our daughter’s horse, and his name was Rudy.
What a full, accomplished life Rudy had – so here is his obituary. If obits for horses are not really a thing…they certainly are now because Rudy has earned it!
Rudy Stanistreet – born May 15, 1998, died December 25, 2023. Rudy was an “Appendix” – a combo Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred which gave him the gifts of agility and speed. He was a trained rope horse long before he met his owner, our then-young daughter Elizabeth. He was purchased from her horse trainer Sue who raised him and who was heavily involved in his training, good health and success. Both Rudy and Elizabeth were both about 10 years old at the time when they became a special pair.
Rudy – always inquisitive and polite
Rudy immediately shifted his career from roping to English Hunt Seat and had a successful tenure at various horseshows in the Central New York area. It was mentioned by a previous barn owner that when it came to performing at shows, Rudy was “worth his weight in gold.” How true…he knew when it was time to properly walk, trot, canter, put his ears forward and behave like a showhorse.
It’s Show Time!
Perfect form!! And they loved every second together
Blue and multi-colored Champion ribbons adorned Elizabeth’s room for years – right until she went off to college.
After a few years on the jumping circuit, Rudy moved from a “not-a-good barn” to a “really, really, great barn” where he learned yet another skill – called Barrel Racing. He spent an entire summer having the “great” barn owners’ nephew work with him on sprinting from a chute, turning around 3 pre-set barrels then racing back to the chute. No fancy attire or ribbons in this sport, Barrel Racing is casual dress, fast-paced and cash-based. Rudy had a ball and used his Thoroughbred skills to the max. Together, Josh and Rudy developed into quite a team that summer and forged a special bond.
Josh and Rudy – bringing it home for the best time of the day!
When it came time to sell Rudy, it broke our daughter’s heart, but college and future work took precedent. She remained in frequent contact with the new owner and the family who owned the barn, while continuing the visits and communication since he was about an hour away from home.
Low and behold, the owner decided to join the Army and moved out of state, while the family who cared for him wanted “out” of the horse-caring business. Elizabeth got a call and was asked if she wanted him back, blankets, tack and all. Shortly after Elizabeth said “Hell, yeah!” – Rudy was moved to a wonderful, loving horse barn right down the street from our home, which includes 2 mini horses full of mischief, a couple of other geldings, and especially his best pal Addie, another Appendix who would follow him around the pasture like a puppy. Rudy and Addie were labeled “The Thoroughbreds” and looked like bookends while grazing.
Rudy and Addie – BFFs
Rudy had yet another job while living at Twinlea Farm. He was a handsome addition to the pasture, always seen right next to Addie, but he also escorted the other horses from time to time to the Assisted Living facility next door to the barn, where the residents could interact with them. His calm demeanor and gentle nature with adults – and especially young children – earned him the title of Distinguished Gentleman.
No matter who you were – or what your size, you had a friend in Rudy
Rudy is survived by Elizabeth and our family, Elizabeth’s boyfriend Alex and her Golden Retriever Pumpkin, Rudy’s barn caregivers Kim and Catherine, the entire Pontello family at Twinlea Farm, Sue – his past owner and trainer, and last but not least, his beloved friend Addie – along with Clarence, Thor, and the two minis – Daisy and Hank, who would “sneak” right into his stall and eat whatever remaining grain or hay Rudy dropped on the stall floor.
Rudy was – is – always will be – our daughter’s first love. He will be deeply missed by everyone and is up in Heaven with a previous barn horse favorite, Moonshine, who he is buried next to in front of a grove of tall pine trees at the farm. Rest in Peace, Sweet Roo XXOO
Sink or Swim 