Eight Belles (poem) by Dawn Huffaker on AuthorsDen

Eight Belles
by Dawn Huffaker → (All Poetry by Dawn Huffaker)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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This a tribute poem for Eight Belles.

Eight Belles The day broke warm and clear, After days of bad spring storms. Twenty horses’ futures Would be decided this day. Festive moods and nervous butterflies Charged the scene. Soon, it was riders up With My Old Kentucky Home Calling them to post. One of the twenty Was a filly. She was drawn to the challenge Of racing the boys. Twenty gates opened And the hooves flew. Jockeys jostled for position Keeping an eye on the others. Eight Belles, dark and sleek, Found her spot Edging gracefully towards The front. As she turned the last corner, Big Brown took the lead. She chased him With all that she had. Three lengths behind And he crossed the Finish Line. Second Place Looked mighty good. When she slowed to cool down, Eight Belles stumbled head first To the ground. Her rider jumped free. Veterinarians said that Her front ankles were shattered. They put her down, Where she lay on the track. Twenty horses’ futures Were decided this day. Nineteen went home And one stayed. 2008 © Dawn Huffaker

Reviewed by Ch'erie de Perrot

Reviewed on May 8, 2008

Oh what a tear jerker is this...so close to the finish line...She kept going just to finish!! Wonderful write, ty for this inspiring write.
Ch'erie

Reviewed by Lavendar Jazz

Reviewed on May 7, 2008

Eight Belles will be remembered and you have written such a wonderful tribute. I felt your sadness in this poem.

Reviewed by John Leko

Reviewed on May 4, 2008

...so well written...this remembrance...tribute you give us.
with sadness and heart penned well Dawn...
John

Reviewed by Jill Eisnaugle

Think of the time that she and Barbaro are having, right now, racing in the Heavens, freed from pain and the racing world. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful horse, gone far too soon.

Jill

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

It's always sad when animals suffer for the glory of sport. Heartbreaking; Eight Belles will forever be missed by those who knew her best.

May God have mercy on her soul! May she run free in Heaven!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

So sorry to hear of this - one reason I don't like horseracing - too hard on the animals -

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

I don't know, but I feel that these breeders overbreed these expensive horses looking for that triple crown . . . My opinion . . . They make them so slim and trim that their ankles, which are so delicate normally cannot support the weight sometimes . . .