We Met Ferzon

After selling Shenandoah and Sundown, we returned to the world of horseless people for 15 years. This isn't to say horses were not a part of our life, but a much diminished part.  Other priorities were were more important - school, budding careers, military service in the Air Force, and eventually, our family.  A few events stand out and one stood out above the rest.  That was the day we met Ferzon.

Purchased as a foal by Daniel Gainey, he went on to become one of the best of the best arabians in all history.  He is the sire of 251 registered progeny and grandparent of 7616 purebred arabian horses.  His impact on the breed is known as the "Gainey look".   But we didn't know all this when a neighbor and friend brought us to the Gainey Stable in Owatonna, Minnesota, where he worked.  The year was about 1970, he was about 18 years old, and this was about 12 years before his death in 1982.

Since we were students living in the upstairs apartment of a three-way divided home, we were in awe of the Gainey stable - rich woods, stalls so clean you could almost eat off the floor.  Our friend's job included the handling of mares who had come in for breeding.  He explained the process to us and introduced us to the poor fellow whose job it was to get the mares turned on so they could then be presented to Ferzon for all the action.  People said he was a little crazy.  Is there any wonder?  Poor guy.

Ferzon was a beautiful grey, confident and elegant.  I had expected a fiery, temperamental stallion, but he was quiet, gentle mannered and inquisitive, welcoming his guests will polite curiosity.  His character is something I've seen repeated over and over in truly great people, too - confident in himself, he was kind and gentle with others, interested and engaged.  We stroked his head and murmered admiring words, but our visit ended too quickly.  

Returning to our little compound in the country, a horse-shoe road with six homes scatter along the edges, we were able to enjoy two of Ferzon's daughter's,  Gai-Rouge and Gai-Monique, owned by our landlord.  It wasn't until year's had passed that I realized how very privileged we were to have been surrounded by exquisite examples of lovely arabians.   And I'll always remember the day I met Ferzon in all his grace and beauty.