Our Beloved Mister Man

It is with great sadness that on October 22, 2010, we laid our dear friend Mister Man to rest. Manny, who went by many names in his life-time, from Hickory to Star to Starman to Mister Man, was so dear to so many. Manny has been part of our family since 1985. He taught me a lot from sitting his spooks to our first jumps to our first outing at Groton House Farm Horse Trials at age 12 to helping me to achieve my C-3 in Pony Club. Manny would jump the moon if you asked him to in his younger years + loved running on the beach with his lady friend Birdie. After 4 years playing with me, he moved on to my sister Heather where she pony clubbed him to her C-2. From there, he slowly started to teach some lessons as Heather moved on to her current mount Bridget. Somewhere around 1996, Kathy Trembly introduced me to Pete King at a D-day Pony Club show. Pete was currently riding a pony named Trego + having some difficulties. The main legacy of Manny began when Pete started to take the ride over on Manny and brought the King family into our lives. Manny helped Pete gain his confidence and his love of riding and together they competed all the way to novice. Pete was the only one of the 3 of us to get winning dressage scores out of the “old Man”! When Pete moved on to another horse a few years later, Manny began his teaching career in full. He taught so many the joys of riding, rebuilt so many broken confidences, and had so much fun along the way. People that were afraid of horses felt so comfortable with him that they'd end up going for a ride. During his career, he had my grandmother and Ryan + Pete’s grandmother on his back all the way down to my niece’s first pony rides – 4 generations, not many horses have that on their resumes! 

Although the good bye was so painful, Manny had grown very old and tired and it was my duty after all he had done for me to set him free to run + eat carrots again! He passed peacefully in my arms with a smile on his face. Manny will always be with us in spirit. Sea Star Stable is here because of him and we will be forever grateful for all he gave to us.

See you over the rainbow Manny,

Love all of us