A letter to Koda

14 April 2025 / Leave a Comment

I feel like I have had to write too many of these lately and each one hurts a little bit more… Yesterday, we tragically lost our rising 5 year old shire cross gelding to a tragic freak accident. We were just planning on moving him to the farm and have already started building massive Koda-sized stables for him.

My big boy. You were absolutely one in a million. There will never be another that can fill your shoes.

You had the kindest, most gentlest of souls and would do absolutely anything for a carrot or a cookie. I remember Donnacha helping me groom you every morning in the stables at Karingani, you were so massive, even then as a youngster, that he could only just reach your legs to brush but you stood perfectly still mindful and careful of this little human so close to your giant feet. And walking around the offices, completely at liberty – no halter, no leads just you and I past the busy workshop and its lound noises, playing and running around together like no one else in this world existed, just us. You used to drag your nose in the sand sniffing like a bloodhound tracking the path of elephants when we walked in the bush, stopping when you came across their droppings to check out all of the scents. I have never seen a horse so scent driven as you. Everything you did, you did it with your whole heart. You always gave it your all. You were gorgeous, seriously the most handsome horse that I have ever met, and I know that I am very biased, but I am not the only one who thought that. The proof is hanging on my wall, Grand Champion Draft Cross. That’s you, my grand champion. You were so amazing! Riding you in the river, you were like a motorboat full speed ahead playing and splashing all about. You loved swimming in that river. I will never ever forget that day and I am so grateful to Quintin for capturing such beautiful photos of our first ride together. I will always cherish those memories and those photos..