Cheyenne became a part of our family the day he stepped off the trailer.  We rescued him with a $100.oo bill that paid his vet expenses incurred when rescued from a home of starvation and abuse.

Cheyenne was not a very big fella, about 14.1 hands.  His unusual dark grey color and loving, layed back personality won him the nickname "Eyore", after Winnie the Pooh's trusty little friend.

At face value, "Chye" was not the prettiest horse but always everyones favorite!  He had a heart of gold and trust was his middle name. He took special care with the elderly and his years of wisdom taught many little ones carefully how to ride.

Cheyenne was my partner for about 5 years and the memories of our time together warm my heart.  We rode down many a trail and never missed a parade or at least Chye never did!

He once fulfilled a little girls dream to ride a horse in the parade, one year, safely carrying her thru the center of town as though she were made of glass.

Cheyenne warmed Gods heart as he carried the Pasteur from our church in the parade, leading christian cowboys and cowgirls singing "Yes Lord We Will Ride With You"!

He fulfilled a couples dream with a sparkle in his eye as a young groom sat astride "Chye" awaiting his bride as she rode down the aisle on our mare, "Rosie" to join him in marriage.  He never moved a muscle as they said their "I do's" and sealed the marriage with a kiss!

In his spare time, Cheyenne and I barrel raced for several years, winning many ribbons and awards that are hung in loving memory among his pictures.

My favorite and last memory of Cheyenne was on a beautiful sunny afternoon in late autumn of that year.  I remember the leaves falling and a cool gentle breeze brushing my face as I stood watching my horses running and playing across the pasture. Cheyenne usually grazed while the other horses ran and played like this, but today he was running with the herd.  It warmed my heart as I watched him with his mane flying and his tail flagged as he ran like the wind.

He strutted around with his nostrils flared taking in the cool crisp air, kicked up his heels, tossed his head and off again across the fields he ran!

It brought a smile to my face to see Chye running with the herd like this in what seemed to have been brought about by the cool autumn breeze.

But in looking back, maybe Cheyenne knew he was running with the herd for the last time, flagging his tail in what was goodbye to his friends as he was soon to make that journey across the rainbow bridge.

The next day I found Cheyenne curled up as though he were asleep, he had passed away sometime during the night.

Although I am saddened to lose this special friend, I am grateful. For it seemed that I was meant to be there in the pasture that afternoon and see what was to be his grand goodbye to us all.