So God Made a Racehorse

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a hero.” So God made a racehorse.

God said, “I need somebody with a heart so big and a body so strong that she can inspire children through her eyes, adults with her strength, and everybody else by her breathtaking beauty.” So God made a racehorse.

“I need somebody with strong shoulders. Strong enough to carry grown men and women on her back, yet gentle enough to nurture and care, lovingly and warmly, for her own foal. Somebody who speaks with her actions, inspires through her gait and reassures with her glance that everything in your life will be alright if you trust in her and treat her with the respect she deserves - and mean it.” So God made a racehorse.

God said, “I need somebody that will gallop with abandon, pace with agility, and trot with such elegant precision that it will motivate her caretakers to put in 20 hour days, seven day weeks, 365 day years just to be in her presence. And somebody who will inspire those around her to give up everything they have, or want, for a life spent dedicated to her.” So God made a racehorse.

God had to have somebody to energize nations in the first Olympics, and be a true pioneer of sport before modern pursuits were fashionable. And then be strong enough to retire to a life defending our freedoms on the battlefield alongside our bravest soldiers. Inspiring. Leading. Fighting.

God said, “I need somebody fast enough to defy logic and yet gentle enough to heal man’s soul, soothe his woes, and make him realize why he was put on this earth, why he has meaning to us all. I need somebody, who through her warm glance and quiet confidence, will make those around her appreciate the grass, the trees and the fresh air they are blessed with.” So God made a racehorse.

God said, “I need a REAL champion who will deserve the roar of the crowd, the deafening cheers and the genuine adulation. In a world searching for integrity and honesty, she will live up to her heroic status, and unknowingly dedicate each moment on this earth to being a true role-model, striving to be the best and most respected. She will never ask for anything in return.” So God made a racehorse.

It had to be somebody who’d stand strong and straight, and not cut corners. Somebody who is on the bit, always fit, and will never, ever quit until she’s done what she came here to do. Down the stretch. Head to head. Noses apart.

Somebody who has the ability to move humankind to adore her, do anything for her, and look after her for all the glorious days of her mystical life. She is Pegasus, because she flies and lifts everyone around her. Her work is for others, her joy is for her, and her love is powerful and non negotiable.

“At the end of a long day, I need somebody to nuzzle up to her newborn foal, encourage him on to his feet, and nurse him off to sleep, with the knowledge that one day her little colt will be a champion like she was, a hero like she is, and make the world a better place, like she does, every day of her life.”

So God made a racehorse.

Darryl Kaplan

[email protected]

After poring through old magazines from 40 years of publication, I came to the conclusion that the only real consistent that never wavers is, “the horse.” So, I wrote the preceding tribute.

It is my take on an original speech written by Paul Harvey, titled “So God made a farmer.”

Sincerely wishing all of you and your families a wonderful holiday season, and a great 2015!