Hi Everyone- It is with very mixed emotions that I am
incredibly happy and sad to announce that Zayante is retired from active
Endurance riding. He had a near disaster with a horrible colic at mile 40
of the last ride he attempted four weeks ago. He’s a tough old guy, and
pulled through just fine without requiring surgery. (That would have taken
place had it been deemed necessary.) In fact, I would have hired the
helicopter to come pluck him from the mountains and deliver him to
I’m sad that he’s retired because he is an absolutely
amazing creature to ride in endurance rides, and I won’t get to do that any
more. He and I spent a whole lot of miles together over the past seven
years, and I will miss riding him more than I can convey in words. I don’t
know how it happened, but I developed an attachment for that horse that is kind
of scary. Maybe it’s just because I love to ride, and riding him is as
good as it gets. I doubt I’ll ever see another horse with the “get it
done” attitude that Zayante has had for his entire career. All I can hope
for is that some of that Zayante magic will rub off on my new horse when they
bump noses in the pasture. Listen to him, Don. Learn from him.
He is exactly what I want you to be.
I’m also very happy he’s retiring, but for different
reasons. This is a horse that has done a lot, and without a doubt has
nothing left to prove to anyone. 13,200 miles is a lot of miles. It
takes a special horse to be able to do that. He has always treated every
mile like it was his first ride. In my mind he’s the definition of an
endurance horse. I’m glad he’s stopping now, because it means there
won’t be any more chances for him to get in trouble. We will absolutely,
most certainly, without a doubt keep riding him. Just try and keep me off
him. But nothing more than enough to keep him going and
happy.
Because that’s what he deserves to be, for as long as
he will live. My first horse Rowan is 31 years old now. Okay
Zayante- there is one more thing you can do for me. Bump noses with Rowie in my pasture. Listen to him, Zay. Learn
from him. Have him tell you how to make it to 31 years old. Because that’s exactly what I want you to do.
Thanks Jackie, for making him part of my life.
Thanks Zayante, for being who you are.
Nick Warhol
Hayward, Ca.
PS: I will be hosting a retirement party for the old white
wonder at the East Bay Ride in