The Horseless Rider

CC Baron Gandolf
1983 - 2011

There are statues of riderless horses, significant in that they represent a rider fallen, deceased, lost in battle.

But what of the horseless rider?

For me, there is only air and silence. My horse lost his battle, has fallen, and now gone.

The air around me is not still; it is the wake of clouds as they touch the trees, and brush across my face, whooshing past as my invisible horse races past for the last time, winging his way onward, upward.

 My silence is weighted with memories, miles, and moments I can never forget. My silence is loud as the champion of my heart nickers, then rides on to the edge of the night wind.

I will bide my loneliness until the horseless rider and the riderless horse meet again.

In memory of the Good Horse, Gandolf, CC Baron Gandolf, of Baron's Moon Arabians, who still lives on in my heart and in my dreams where we still ride together.

 Me, in front, riding Danzarr Moon, Gandolf's nephew and Beth Carlson Lewis riding CC Baron Gandolf. This is the most perfect photo I have of my two horses who delighted in being with each other as much as my dear friend Beth and I loved riding them together.

(Thank you to Becky Siler who was the photographer

responsible for most of these photographs.)