Our Beloved Vale...... gone but not forgotten

R.I.P.

Ra Ra Rulenza

A.K.A.

'Ra'

born 20/10/00

until 22/08/11

My boy Ra....

Ra was born at Glenn Avon Stud in Victoria on the 20th of October 2000.  His pedigree boasted some of the worlds best racing lines, including the UK's Norther Dancer line.  He raced succesfully along the east coast for nearly 6 years tallying up an impressive 41 starts, most of which he was placed in the top 3 for his trainer Michael Nolan.  Ra won the Warrick Cup for Michael several years in a row before he was eventually retired.

He came to us after a spell at the end of May 2010.  Ra was a magnificant horse with a huge presence, standing at 16.2hh.  He had such a natural exaggerated movement rather more like what is seen in a warmblood than a thoroughbred, which I thought would be perfect for dressage. 

It took us roughly 6 months to get Ra completely sound, mainly from niggling issues that would be expected from such a long time racing, before we started gently re-training him.  He wasn't the easiest and most willing subjects to ride as he had a very dominant streak, which was loathed by most that rode him, except for his family as we just adored him.  Initially we had arguments (bucks and rears) as Ra wanted to do everything his way, and once I'd convinced him that my way was the way he'd argue if he did not feel you supported him enough. He certainly made life interesting and was always throwing surprises at you.

He loved to roll and be covered in mud or whatever was available, then rub his face on anyone and anything he was not choosy.  Ra was a typical grubby boy!  He had quite a few quirky traits, Ra loved to walk backwards so his bum gently pushed the stable door closed why you were in there, he was always trying to break into the feed room to steal pears (his chocolate) also anything he could reach,  and most of all he loved playing with buckets.  He would back up to a bucket and try to stand both his back feet in it, he would play for hours and hours until he had managed to do it then once both legs were in he would have a snooze.

Each day on my way home after the school run Ra would be waiting in the bottom of his paddock near the drive for me.  He would then race my car home.  He loved routine and always got in a bad mood if he was late going to bed.  Ra loved his stable and loved being snug under his rug.

Ra became unwell so suddenly.  We made the decision to have him euthanaised as it was the kindest thing to do to prevent his further suffering.  Ra was shot at home 738am on the 22nd of August 2011, he was buried next to our stables, so he will always be near us,  wearing his favorite fleece pj's and once the site has settled we are going to plant pear trees over him as we know he would like this.  Our family is devastated by the loss of Ra as he was such an intergrated member of our family.  He will always be our special boy and we cherish every day he lived with us and we will always miss him.

Ra especially for you...

"I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.  I thought about you yesterday, and the day before that too.  I think of you in slience, I often speak your name.  But all I have are memories and a picture in a frame.  Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part.  God has you in his arms, and you're always in my heart"