Bonfire -- some thoughts on a magical horse

It was in the news recently that Ulla Salzgeber's Olympic dressage horse Rusty was recently cloned. This puzzled me -- while I loved Rusty he seems an unlikely horse to clone. Nice as he was for his time, warmblood breeding has come a long way. Rusty, and most horses from the 90's, do not compare to today's modern warmblood.

I say most horses. The exception is Bonfire. He would stand up to any of the new stars -- the Damon Hills, the Quaterbacks, the Sandro Hits. He outclasses them all.

To me, Bonfire was one-of-a-kind. His talent shows us that there is much more to dressage than muscle, power, and big gaits. I love showy extended trots as much as the next girl -- if not more -- but that wasn't what Bonfire was about. What he (and Anky) brought to the picture was a musicality, an incredible lightness, and a sense of dancing that is unequaled. He had the soft loft of a ballerina. Every footfall was perfect, and the harmony and willingness was unwavering.

Watching Bonfire and Anky, they seemed more like soul mates that partners.  They are just -- one. I can't think of any other way to say it. Rest in peace, special boy. We will miss you.