Jasper

Jasper

1988 - 2010

And then he was gone.

A friend of mine, asked me “why the tears, he was just a horse, and he wasn't even yours”. Words spoken by someone, who although meaning well, has never experienced the unconditional love of an animal or the noble and generous nature of a horse who allows us to ride on it's back, making use of its speed and strength for our pleasure and purposes.

I met Jasper, or Jessie Boy as he was fondly known, one Friday afternoon in September 2007 and fell in love with him immediately. Having just signed up for an eight day horseback trek, crossing from Argentina and Chile, I set out to take lessons. My instructor came highly recommended and was lucky enough to be fit into his busy schedule. Throughout our brief phone conversation I advised him that I was a complete beginner, and my horse riding was limited to a couple of hacks at a riding school. “No, problem, you will be fine on Jasper” he reassured me.

Training for the Trans Andes Horseback Trek on Jasper, Maghtab 2007

And I was. I felt safe on the back of this gentle and patient horse with kind eyes. I had a couple of tumbles but they usually my fault. Although an intelligent animal, there was no malice in Jasper. He did his utmost for all the riders that took lessons or rode him in equestrian competitions.

I will never forget our first show jumping competition. Organised by the La Vallette Riding Club, it meant that he had to journey by van from Maghtab to Marsa, and spend a day in a field devoid of the luxury of his own stable. Moreover, he had to wait for the other horses, he travelled with, to be ready from their competitions before he could go back to his stable. My nerves at competing for the first time in a class full of seasoned riders were calmed by the fact that I could trust Jasper. Tackling the course, keeping in my the techniques learnt combined with some vocal encouragement from my part we managed a clear round. Since, two other riders were clear there would be a jump off for first, second and third place. The activity of the day, took its toll on Jasper and our time saw us place third. However I was ecstatic. I knew that Jasper had given his 110%, in the true generous nature of the horse he gave it his all.

Just after the showjumping competition in Marsa, Jasper is on the right. Marsa 2008

Some people mistakenly believe that horses are devoid of emotions and thus incapable of forming a bond. These people would have you believe that horses are not capable of feeling the same emotions that we humans feel. How wrong they are. Horses desire companionship just as much as we do. A clear example of this was Jasper's bond with Tuta, my instructor's other horse. Their stables and paddocks were next to each other and you could see him look out for her if she was out in the field and he left on his own in the paddock. He would call out to her when he would hear her walking into the stables. So close was his bond with her, that if they both were in the field at the same time he would do his utmost to follow her.

Walking through the stables, early in the morning, smelling the fresh hay, the sound of horses munching contentedly and the sight of them acknowledging my presence as I walk in gives me a sense of peace. Alas, Jasper is now no longer there to welcome me, but his hoof print is clearly embedded in my heart, just as much as it is embedded in the heart of all the riders that have ridden Jasper over the years.

Rest well, Jasper, you will be sorely missed.