Some stories are written after a lifetime together.
Some are shared in the quiet moments when everything changes.
Rupert kindly allowed me to share the email he sent to friends and family on the day Hero passed — a message that captures not just loss, but a life deeply lived and a partnership that meant everything.
This is a copy of that email:
It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that we lost Hero today, following a recurrence of colic.
Although many tears were shed, he did not suffer and it was the best possible end for him as he was quietly put to sleep on a sunny September afternoon having munched his last few mouthfuls of grass in the company of Teddy, his long suffering companion.
He was, as I am sure you know, so much more than just a horse to me. He taught me how to ride, patiently guiding me over the fastest ground and the biggest jumps, a phenomenal athlete who kept me safely in the saddle (most of the time); and a companion to many of our horses during his time with us.
But he also saw me through some very dark days and helped me court my lovely horsey wife; and was a constant friend to us both over the twenty years we enjoyed his company. We will miss him terribly.
........
Some time later, Rupert chose to have a bracelet made using Hero’s hair — something he could carry with him every day.
He shared this with me:
I will treasure my beautiful Tail End bracelet and whenever life throws up its little challenges I will touch it and remember how, when we would head towards a massive jump and I felt unsure, my lovely boy would lock on and seem to say "we've got this Dad"
