Lionquest's Story

When you meet someone special you just know deep down even if
you have only known them for a short time or have never met them before.
You feel an aura, a vibe from this person and you just know that they are
something special.

Well, I met a horse. Now he wasn't just your average little pony..He was
and always will be one very special animal and I knew the moment I laid
eyes on him that something connected him and I together.
I looked into his deep, dark brown eyes and I felt secure, I felt trust,
I felt a strong bond, I felt happy.
I walked over to him and gave him a pat, he then nuzzled up against me
and started licking my hands. He made me feel as though I was something
special. I felt loved even though he was not human. I knew from that moment
on he was special.

It was 5:00am on a Monday morning and I was starting my 2nd week of work
experience at Rod Craig's Racing Stables. I had already completed my 1st
week at Clarry Connors Racing Stables and I met one horse there that I
enjoyed the company of. He was a chestnut colt called Braveheart. I am unsure
of his whereabouts now, but I hope he is doing fine.
I had walked into Rod's Stables feeling a bit nervous but as I walked around the
corner of one of the stables I noticed a horse in Box 11, who had just popped
his head out over the stable door. I decided to investigate this curious fellow,
so I strolled on over and I looked into this magnificent creatures eyes and I
felt an amazing bond, even though I had never met him before. The way that he
looked at me made me feel confident and he seemed to have stopped what he
was doing and looked up at me as soon as I had walked around the corner.
His eyes sparkled, his coat shimmered in the lasting moments of the moon.
Later that morning I found out everything about him. I watched him to find
out his personality, his little quirks and habits, and loved him even more
than before.
I knew that there was a reason for why he had caught my eye, I didn't know the
reason that day but I know now and it all makes sense.

I went on to complete my work experience and by the end of the
week, Herbie mean't the world to me and everyone knew it! On the last day of
work experience I took a drive up to the back of the racetrack with Rod and
went to the barriers where the horses were jumping out. I watched Herbie
literally fly down the track, he won...of course, and Rod said he was really
happy with him.
I had loved working with the team at Rod Craig and I loved it even more with
Herbie being there, and then before I knew it I had a job with Rod Craig. I was
over the moon because it mean't that I would see Herbie more, and any chance to
spend time with that amazing horse was appreciated and priceless.
I filled all the registrations out and was to begin work at Rodlyn Lodge
in January of the following year, which was 2004. I worked with all the horses
but mainly looked after Herbie when I was there of a weekend and school holidays.
I spent all my spare time brushing, patting, cuddling and fussing over him.
He loved it, he was a spoilt little fellow...but he deserved it. Our bond became
stronger and stronger everytime and he mean't more to me than anything in this
entire world and he still does. I will never forget the friendship that was
shared between him and I.
I will also never forget the day that he become cast whilst in his yard. Jarred,
Brett and I bolted out the front when we heard loud banging noises coming from
out the front. I was shocked when I came out and found Herbie lying on the
ground with his leg caught in his yard gate. I was so scared and worried that I
would lose him, and I had tears rolling down my face. The strange thing was, I
could feel his pain!! The pain was shooting up my leg and I looked into his eyes
and comforted him, trying to stop him from moving. Someone was definately
looking over him that day. I am so grateful that he is still alive today.
He was an extremely lucky horse, he may have been gone now if he had of broken
his leg and things would never be the same if he was not around.
For the whole of 2004 I bonded with Herbie. He let me cry into his mane when I
was feeling down, he would be so patient and caring. I could tell him all my
secrets and I knew that no one would ever know them because herbie was my
confidante.
I could tell him anything and I knew he would never tell anyone. He was there
for me at the best of times and he was there for me at the worst of times. It
didn't matter how I was feeling, but he was there for me to lean on. He had a
personality that no other horse would ever have, he was one in a million.
Herbie was the one who cared and he showed it in the way that he responded to
me. I only had to look into his eyes and I could take comfort in knowing that
he cared.
I continued working into 2005 and Herbie was there for me again and again.
I went through an extremely difficult time in my life and Herbie was there for
me to talk to and cry to. He never let me down, no matter what the situation
was.

Around april in 2005, my entire world came crashing down. My best friend had
been diagnosed with Depression and attempted to commit suicide. I had another
friend who was having a difficult time as well. I had to deal with this and
was in year 11 at the time so I had extreme amounts of school work. I was
going downhill and was spiralling into depression exceptionally fast.
Things became much worse when I heard that they were going to sell Herbie.
I was so upset and begged them to give him to me, but unfortunately I didn't
get him. I was always so scared that I would turn up to work and he would
be gone.
On the day that he was floated to his new home, I headed up to the train
station to catch a train to my nanna's and I thought I might go and see
Herbie. The feeling of wanting to see him was quite strong but didn't end
up going. I knew I was going to regret it. The following saturday I was
dropped off at work by my mum and looked into Herbie's yard and he was gone!!
I was devastated. I was heart broken and I burst into tears. I managed to get
through the morning but it was incredibly hard. At the end of the morning I
asked Rod if I could have Herbie's Bib. He gave it to me and I have it in my
treasures box in a bag so it will never be ruined. It's all I have that
reminds me of him apart from some pictures that I have, although I don't need
anything to remind me of him because he will be forever in my memory and he
will never be forgotten.

I haven't seen my special boy for a long time but I know that we will reunite..
I just know it. I found out who was training him in Cairns and also who owns
him. I rang them and told them that if they ever want to sell or give him
away then I will definately take him on. No hesitations what so ever. I just
want him back because I know that he is mean't to be with me. I miss him
dearly and he will always have that special spot in my heart. A horse that
had a huge impact on my life, a horse that cared, a horse that would walk to
the end of the earth for me as I would for him, a horse that only comes
along once in a lifetime. I am hoping that he comes back into my life because
that is where he is mean't to be.
Lionquest, you were one of the most important things in my life and you done
so much for me and I appreciate everything. You will never be forgotten and
I hope that we reunite. I know that everytime I close my eyes I will be
constantly reminded of you.

Your presence may be gone physically but your presence is not gone from my
heart and I can feel you around me...your aura was one which will never be
gone from my life. I can't wait until the day where I see a float coming
towards me and YOU are the one who is unloaded from it. I can't wait for
the day where I look into your trusting eyes again and put my arms around
you and give you the biggest and long over due hug.

So I guess there is a such thing as love at first sight! And when I say
love, I don't mean your average human to human love, I mean the love
between an animal and a human. A bond that is stronger than anything in
this world. A young girl and a horse, a horse that means the world to
her, a horse that is her saviour.
That horse is Lionquest. A brave, stunning, kind and gentle horse that
will never give up and never stop trying to prove his ability, strength,
courage and most of all love.

I will love you forever and eternity...Lionquest...My Guardian Angel

XOXOXOXOXOXO I LOVE YOU HERBIE XOXOXOXOXOXO