In Memory Of

Mona Liisa
You will always be remembered

1957 - 2002

Mona Liisa excelled in a diversity of disciplines including Dressage, Driving, Jumping and Trail Riding. She also took pride in her career as a Registered Nurse.

Liisa was an excellent trainer and was generous with her knowledge. She would share her training or medical expertise with anyone who would take the time to listen. Her patience in teaching horses the finer points in dressage was a delight to witness.

Liisa is pictured here on her Thoroughbred,
General Alarm, better known as AJ.

Down Memory's Lane with You

I'd like to ride down Memory's Lane
Together, you and I...
And sing the songs we used to sing
In the pleasant days gone by.
Our thoughts will bloom like flowers
And we'll gather every one;
We'll laugh at things we used to do,
The joyous things we've done.
And then someday if God is good
Perhaps beneath the sky...
Hand in hand, we'll ride once more
Together....YOU AND I!

-Unknown

General Alarm

May 3, 1978 - November 13, 2001

AJ (Thoroughbred) was the most upside down horse I have ever ridden but when it all came together, he was awesome to watch under saddle. He was well known for his nasty temper during feeding time as well as his athletic ability on the cross-country course.

AJ was an extremely diverse horse having been trained in 3-day eventing (dressage/cross-country/stadium jumping), to western pleasure, reining and trail as well as driving.

AJ spent one winter cattle penning and acquired the reputation of getting frustrated and biting the cattle if they didn't move fast enough.

I remember many trail rides in which we spent the entire ride cantering (while others were walking, trotting or cantering), in order to prevent AJ from bucking. He threw at least one rider every spring.

In Memory of AJ

There was a time when a grey Thoroughbred horse,
Boldly flew over many a cross-country course.
But a day comes by when all must leave
While others are left to shed tears and grieve.

Now AJ dwells in God’s own lands
With meandering brooks and gentle winds,
Running with his buddies long since gone,
Grazing lush pastures amidst the wild bird song.

AJ’s legacy, which he lovingly leaves behind,
Forever in the ties that bind,
Lies in the hearts and minds of all he loved,
He now shares his freedom with the snow white dove.

Tango Kilobar

June 10, 1969 - September 16, 2001

Tango was a Quarter Horse who's strong personality left an imprint on everyone he met. He was always considered 'Papa' by all the young horses on the place and would look after the foals while the Dams were grazing or resting. He was also known to let the youngsters play around him and jump up onto him.

Tango was known to lead the herd into boggy areas and taught the young horses how to maneuver through difficult terrain.

He also helped teach riders of all ages how to ride.

He loved to cut cattle and did well in roping and cattle penning.

In Memory of Tango

Remember me now that I am gone away,
To roam greener pasturns
And to romp and play,
My old buddies await me and although you grieve,
Do not be sad for it’s my time to leave.

Orillia Lee Beau

July 19, 1978 - 1996

Beau was an Arabian, and the only horse that I have ever ridden who could counter-canter in a 6 foot circle and still stay balanced. He was mischieveous and loved to play tricks on his handlers whenever the opportunity arose.

Beau was sold to a family in Fort Nelson who built a heated barn and arena for him because he was cold. He was the only horse we had to use a multitude of blankets on. Beau barely tolerated crossing water, and only when he was rather persistently asked.

He was a true dessert horse!

Never Surrender

1986 - 1989

Joseph was an Appendix Quarter Horse whose life was too short. We lost him at a reputable show stable in Calgary, due to complications from colic.

Liisa is seen here riding Joey.

Friends are encouragement when times are tough
Friends are memories both precious and real
Friends understand and know how you feel
Friends are laughter and also tears
Friends are trusting loving and kind

Music, when the soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory--
Odours, when the sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950)

The Rose Beyond the Wall

A rose once grew where all could see,
sheltered beside a garden wall,
And, as the days passed swiftly by,
it spread its branches, straight and tall...

One day, a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide ~
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side...

Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
be comforted ~ the rose blooms there ~
Its beauty even greater now,
nurtered by God's own loving care.