Was it just four years ago that Ballynoe Castle RM, better known as Reggie, was retired at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event?
As we gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park this year for the competition, we got the sad news that the U.S. Eventing Association’s all-time high point earner had died in his field in Ocala at the age of 21. He was beloved by so many, but most of all, by his rider, Buck Davidson, and his owners, Carl and Cassie Segal.
As Buck noted, “He was a huge part of all of our lives for so many years and truly a horse of a lifetime.”
Carl Segal wrote me to say, “Cassie and I were shocked to hear about Reggie’s death in Ocala, as he has been healthy throughout his retirement. We are so fortunate to have owned Reggie all these years and will always remember the extraordinary joy he gave us. Early on, Buck and Reggie formed a special partnership that became difficult to beat. Buck obviously deserves enormous credit for Reggie’s tremendous success. We will always miss Reggie but he will never be forgotten.”
Here is a link to a story about Reggie’s life in retirement. Take comfort in knowing that this extraordinary horse had an extraordinary retirement, happily dividing his time between the Segals’ farm in New Jersey and Ocala, where he was part of Buck’s contingent there..No horse could ask for more.