A horse above many - The Licorice Drop Kid

From the moment he first burst into the arena, the air charged with electricity. His name will tattoo on your dreams - Licorice Drop Kid, Licorice Drop Kid. Other champions who were stunning in their own way and former Blue Ribbon Winners, seemed to give up when they felt his power, his essence, his presence. More likely, it was the riders who gave up.

This magnificent young stallion appears to float around the ring. It is as if he is born to win. His owner, Tom (forgive me, I have forgotten his last name) is apparently a man of the people. He has either one or two missing legs and wears prosthesis so riding for him is rough at the best of times. Much of Tom's dreams and Tom's money, not to speak of years of time, are wrapped up in this incredible animal. He beats the neveou riche, the old rich their bored petty cash excesses and tax breaks with his (I assume, formerly) limited cash resources and Real Man character. Both Man and Horse deserve every Blue Ribbon they get. This horse's beauty and grace is so phenomenal to observe through the lens of my camera that sometimes I catch a tear falling to my cheek. It is a moment, a personal history, a unicorn like dream freeze-frame. I love this horse, I respect the man.

I went to see Licorice in his stall about an hour after yet another Blue Ribbon win and the adrenaline had eased from his system. I could see at a glance that he was so spoiled and so pampered. He had a lordly vibe and was rather gentle for a stallion. It is obvious he suffers no abuse and no evil training techniques. I got to hug him a little bit. I savored the moment. From that moment I became Licorice's groupie - unashamedly so.

I got this picture from: clickedy clack