Red was buried this morning with Red and White
Peonies along side his neck. There were tears by grown men and
women. There was Prayer.
The Facts...3 miles out of camp we split in 2
directions w/ the larger group of 5 searching out a 19 mile loop. Jerry
and Jim heading south on another loop. 15 minutes after we left them Red
reared up and fell over dead on Jerry. Our GPS said we were traveling
at 3.2 mph. A Post was not performed. It took the better part of the
day for Jim searching for a backhoe to dig a hole. When we returned Jim
told us what happened and our resident local Paulita contacted someone who was
doing the equipment work on her property which is near the Slate Lick
Fields. They took a trailer across jeep trail and Red was hoisted onto the
trailer. This morning he was burried.
The emotions...Jerry was in pain from his
ribs, but the pain in his heart was worse and we all shared his pain, even the
equipment operators. Unless you have ever been in a situation like this
before you can not imagine what its like to lose your first and best horse you
ever had.
Aftermath...its still sinking in. Those who
know Jerry knows his dedication of the Trail, and to have something like
this happen on the Trail will not deter this dedication i am sure. But he will
need your support for a time thru this tragedy.
As the Chairman of the Alternative Trail Committe
of the OD let me say that this accident did NOT happen on the OD Trail but a
Trail of 2 that is being searched out as possible Trails for the
Organization. This Trail has the benefits of Interstate closeness, Urban
proximity and isolation. The negative is its isolation. I am
grateful for Jim Barnett who i never knew and grew to Love as Father i
wish i had. Matthew Mackay-Smith, John Proudman, Karen Deskins, Paulita
Neff, Albert who came w/ Jerry from Indiana and of course Jerry
Fruth.
