In The Words Of Barbaro

"It is said that horses do not understand the way humans speak....Maybe so, maybe we don't know the inflection of words used in a sentence, or the punchline of a joke told, or funny sarcasm......But this I can guarantee you...... We can feel emotions. We know when you're sad, and we can tell when you're happy. We can feel when you're nervous, and we are fully aware when you're heartbroken. It was on this night, four years ago, that a team of dedicated, loving people poured their hearts out to me....'Whatever happens, happens', they said, 'We'll still love you.' One by one they talked to me, privately, looking from side to side to ensure that no one saw them....Who would ever want to be caught talking to a horse. Seems silly. But they knew different. They knew my language, and that's what makes a good team. They spoke words of encouragement and told me to go out there and fly......I did, and I will forever be grateful to all of them. I realized how special the Derby was to each one of them, in their own memorable way. I paced in my stall, uninterested in food or drink, just waiting for the first glimpses of the Kentucky sunrise to peak above the horizon. So many people believed in me, so many people loved me. I told myself over and over that I could win this, not for me, but for them. And finally, with what seemed like an eternity, the rays of the morning sun shone brightly into my eyes, almost like an Angelic calling. I stood waiting and wondering in anticipation......Let me out onto the track, let me show you who I am, let me show you what I can do. I knew at that moment, that a plan was in place for me, a calling, a reason, a way to touch the lives of so many for years to come.......Don't ever think a horse cannot understand you....we can...we just do it with our hearts instead of our ears......~Love Barbaro"

The Gift of a Hero

The Gift of a Hero


It is a gift for those of us that have been blessed with the determination of a horse -- displaying itself proudly when we call upon it -- when we need it the most. For their determination is immeasurable.


It is a gift for those of us that have been invited to learn a horse's language -- one that uses not words -- but pure and truthful reflections. For their language knows nothing but unconditional love.


It is a gift for those of us that harbor the courage of a horse -- to be able to look fear in the eyes -- yet stand proud while seeking triumph. For their courage is celebrated.


At some point in time, a horse has touched our lives in some unique and special way -- and because of this -- the horse, in all its glory, gives us the strength to carry on in the face of adversity. Their title, that of "horse", encompasses what we've known and felt deep inside our hearts all along.......all you have to do is rearrange the letters.....they are our "heros"......

Happy Heavenly Birthday Barbaro...!!!

An Extra Long Vacation!

Well, the "View Crew" and I just got back this Heavenly morning...the gang wanted to stay a little longer on your Earth in order to "chat" with this year's Earthly Kentucky Derby contenders, and they even got a chance to do a little "question and answer" period with them too!!  Right now though I'm heading off to help Ruffian unpack her 50,000 pieces of Heavenly luggage and will be back later to report on the "View Crew's" Wal-Mart excursion, their "trial Kentucky Derby race" at Churchill Downs (talk about cutting across the infield in order to gain positions!), and why Slew found it necessary to stop in at Carlo's Bakery (Cake Boss) in Hoboken, New Jersey!  Check this out:  http://www.carlosbakery.com/  

(Btw: Ruffian celebrated her Heavenly birthday down on your Earth too...more on that later!)

Stay tuned....you're NOT gonna want to miss out on all their shenanigans....!!!

Wal-Mart......Here we come!!!

The "View Crew" have "left the Heavenly building"!!  That's right...the gang is making their way down to your local Earthly Wal-Mart and since I'm going along to chaperone, I know for sure that I'll have my Heavenly hands full!!  The gang is due to return to Heaven's Gate Farm on your Earthly Tuesday, so I'll report on all their shenanigans on your Earthly Wednesday!!  Remember....if any of you happen to be at your local Earthly Wal-Mart and you see something "odd", it could  very well be one of the "View Crew"!!!!

Till Wednesday everyone!!  Have a great Earthly weekend!!

The Painted Pony, er ah, Ponies!!

Here's a "head scratcher" quiz for everyone.......What happens when you combine tonnes of Heavenly paint (for Easter Egg decorating), a Pottery Barn FULL of Heavenly animals, and then sprinkle into that mix about a hundred giant plastic water gun cannons???  The answer.........A MESS!!!!  That's right.....seems like the Heavenly Easter Egg decorating task is getting completely out of Heavenly hand, er ah, hoof, since some "genius" or "geniuses" (we're not sure who, but we have our suspicions!), decided to start putting the paint into those giant water cannons, instead of on their paint brushes!!  You all are familiar with those kids toys, right?  The cannons that you have to "pump" the bottom before it'll start shooting a massive flow of water equivalent to your Earthly Niagara Falls at you??!!  Ya...those!!!!  Needless to say, after peeking in on everyone, I decided to retreat and retrieve my Heavenly "Maid of the Mist" cloak in order to regain control of this "out of control" Heavenly situation!!  On my way back though, about four Heavenly equines, namely, Secretariat, Affirmed, Alydar, and Swaps, blew by me looking more like the Partridge Family bus rather than their handsome selves!!  YIKES!!!  I had to "tuck and roll" into the front door of the Heavenly Pottery Barn and head for cover as a rainbow of Heavenly paint beamed across the air heading RIGHT for me!!!  COME ON!!  SERIOUSLY!!  I don't remember reading this in my Heavenly job description!!!!  A "slew" of Heavenly laughter ensued, and as I pulled down my Heavenly face shield (Yes, I put on a mask with a face shield....you didn't think I'd go in here unprotected did ya??), I could feel the out of control beam of paint reach it's destination.....and that destination would be directly on my Angel wings!!  SPLAT!!!  Now, you know me, as the Heavenly Farm Manager, I'm all for having some Heavenly fun, but when I see your undefeated Earthly Triple Crown winner (that would be your beloved Seattle Slew), with a Heavenly forelock and mane FULL of PINK, PURPLE, and MAUVE paint......well, something's gotta give!!!  Oh...wait.....I can see Ruffian tucked neatly in the corner of the Pottery Barn with some other Heavenly equine ladies......From what I can see (because my Heavenly face shield is now spattered with paint), Eight Belles, Go For Wand, Flawlessly (Affirmed's daughter) and Shenanigans (Ruffian's "mom") are with her......and while they are not participating in the "paint fiasco", they ARE doing something productive......THEIR NAILS.....er ah, HOOVES...!!  Yep, that's right....there's always time to polish up those pretty Heavenly hooves...and leave it to Miss Ruffian to have the pinkish of pink hoof polish on while she quietly chats away with the ladies discussing tiaras, the latest Jimmy Choo designs, and how much Heavenly luggage she's going to bring the next time the "View Crew" decides to visit your Earth !!!  What the heck happened to having a relaxing day painting some Heavenly Easter Eggs???!!!!  OK, wait a Heavenly minute here.......WHO had the bright idea to paint Northern Dancer to look like an unsolved Rubik's Cube?????  I'll bet it was our "face painter extraordinaire" Native Dancer!!!  It actually looks pretty cool, but I'm not sure if Northern Dancer's Earthly owners, Windfield Farms, would think the same!!

Well, I have come to the conclusion that I will exit this "mess" with the hopes that at least a FEW Heavenly Easter Eggs end up getting painted.......If not, then at least fun was had by all.....and as I retreat backwards out of the Pottery Barn door, I am pummeled with a barrage of turquoise/blue/green plume of paint!!  Hey, at least it's a pretty color!!!!

Doing Some Heavenly Spring Cleaning!!

Heaven's Gate Farm is having a Heavenly "Spring Cleaning" Party!  Of course, anytime we doing ANYTHING, we must turn it into SOME type of party!!  Seattle Slew and his "Kitchen Crew" made a GIANT cake in the shape of a broom and a dust pan!!  OH MY!!  Regret is busy with her Heavenly yellow rubber gloves, polishing up anything and everything!  She LOVES cleaning!!  And news from the Heavenly racetrack is that the 2010 Triple Halo contenders are busy practicing!!  For those who are not familiar with the Triple Halo....it is the Heavenly equivalent to your Earthly Triple Crown.....Here are the Heavenly races:

The Celestial Derby~Run For The Rainbows
The Peak~Of~Performance Stakes
The All~Is~Wellmont Stakes

Heavenly dates will be posted soon!!




A Cherub's Welcome To:
Abby
And all animals who have currently joined us.