Names like Ethan Allen, Flora Temple, and Daniel Lambert were names any horseman in these United States at the turn-of-the-century would instantly recognize. Today, another Morgan has earned world-wide recognition and has exceeded his notable ancestors as far as the number of humans who know of him. His name means 'friend' and there is no better friend in promotional terms as it pertains to the Morgan breed than 'Holiday Compadre'. He is without equal in this regard - past or present.

So many journeys that lead to greatness begin quietly and humbly. If you like the kind of tale that sees ordinary individuals reach down deep inside their reserves in order to produce extraordinary lives, then you will love to get to know both horse and man in this on-going journey toward even greater accomplishment than what is already theirs. It is important to remember that only royal lineage gifts one with greatness at birth. All other greatness comes by way of great effort - aka 'sweat equity'. Even Mozart practiced countless hours on end. Destiny very often finds and then hones the great talents this world has known. In this writer's opinion, that is as it should be and it makes great stories much more fun to weave.

Every famous horse begins their journey toward that destiny like every other foal - wet, wobbly, leggy and knowing absolutely nothing aside from what instinct compels them to do. 'Proving Ground' lay far ahead. A chestnut colt born in 1987, to a mare named Holiday Temptress (and owned by Debbie Beth-Halachmy), was no doubt seen as a special gift but who could know that crowds would one day rise to their feet and applaud the gangly little colt whose name means 'friend' in Spanish? Who could see that he, along with his rider/trainer, would come to be trendsetters in the fullest sense of the word? And, not only would they capture victory after victory in the small pond of Morgandom, together they would explore and conquer uncharted territory in the horse business at large, they would first learn and then teach a better way, gain admiration far beyond 'home turf' as well as win hearts and acceptance within 2 worlds that had yet to converge: classical horsemanship and cowboy horsemanship. These 2 entities previously lived separate lives for the most part in this country. There were some shared similarities but the perfect marriage partner for the Western Horsemen did not arrive on the scene until recently. The fair maiden's name is of French origin and her virtues are just what the cowboy needed ... ancient wisdom for the Stetson set, aka Cowboy Dressage. A more beautiful coupling would be hard to find. Then set this innovative approach to music and you'll see horse folk from every walk of life smile, tap their feet to the beat and then eagerly applaud a dancing Morgan.

But, hold on ... I'm cheating and skipping ahead. Lets return to ground zero, where it all began ... where the now successful 'Cowboy Dressage' venture found it's beginning. The artistic medium of Dressage combined with a love for the American Cowboy would take a Morgan Horse to the top of the game, making him one of the most famous equine celebrities of our time - not just 'the most famous Morgan'. My question was ... "How did Compadre's amazing story come to be?"

Boy sees Girl. Boy is an Israeli, Girl is an American. Boy is savvy horse trainer, Girl is pretty and crazy for Morgan Horses. Boy makes his move, Girl is not impressed - at first - but Israeli charm (?) wins in the end. Result of the above scenario after all was said and done is: Eitan and Debbie Beth - Halachmy. The way this whole things works was explained to me as follows: "8 does everything on the horse, I do everything off the horse." A happy marriage laid the groundwork for an equally successful business - first in the world of showing horses and now in 'booked solid' performances and clinics here and abroad. The vintage husband and wife team of George and Gracie Burns ain't got a thing on 8 and Debbie - including a splendid sense of humor. Not only are they talented in their respective skills, they're a hoot!

Everyone loves to see the common man succeed - especially we Americans. It is our heritage. Both 8 and Debbie have worked very hard to 'arrive'. For many years, Debbie worked 2 jobs as a single mother to support 2 children. During that time, she also struggled to own and show horses. Her beauty and gracious demeanor do not give any hint of her shrewd business mind and tough-as-nails inner being. The success that Debbie and 8 now enjoy has been earned. They did not gain it by way of undue favor, politics, 'playing the game' or buying it.

Rarely do things go exactly as planned. This story project is no exception. As it happens in Life, so I am doing here - rolling with the punches and confidently hoping that reality is always better than something I might have contrived.

While the Cowboy Dressage trio were in Wyoming for our Spring branding, Eitan (or 8 as he is better known) rode Compadre during branding and then gave a dancing demo and mini intro to Cowboy Dressage to our friends. An '8 & Compadre' clinic was to happen the next day at a ranch owned by friends of ours, followed by a performance that would end the day's activities. Compadre was telling those close to him that he was hurting in some mysterious way the evening after we branded the calves. As with so many horse ailments, guesswork ensued as well as concern for his well-being. Shortly after the clinic began in the morning, 8 candidly made mention of the problem and Compadre was not asked to finish the clinic that he and 8 began. Everyone understood. A borrowed horse took Compadre's place and 8 finished what they started. Never did concern for his horse impact the quality of the clinic. 8 was a hit even though we were all deeply disappointed that we would not get to see Compadre and 8 do what they are famous for. Little did any of us know at the time that Compadre's last dance had occurred the day before. As it turned out, the music for his last performance was all cowboy in it's purest form ... the mingled voices of cattle on a prairie breeze. Who could have known ? When that realization struck me, my throat tightened and tears streamed down both cheeks. Seeing Compadre dance for the first time was also to be my last. I had watched him on tape so many times but never in the flesh. At the risk of sounding self-oriented, the song 'Save The Last Dance For Me' came to mind and I felt as though indeed he had.

It has since been theorized that perhaps an auto accident some years ago finally took its toll. No injury to Compadre was evident at the time but with the passage of time and possible trauma to the shoulder that went undetected, brought on sudden and acute arthritis. After returning home to California, some of the mystery was solved at UC Davis. It was decided that Compadre would be retired from show business and lead a comfortable life involving stallion duties only.

It is so very strange how Life is by design - only some of which we have control over. In many instances [the weaving of this story being one], we are used like characters in a play, and unbeknownst to us we are a part of something so extraordinary that human effort could in no way accomplish it - either in its planning or the carrying out of the thing. Eitan brought his horse to a place that he dreamed of most of his life. His visit to a working ranch, riding amongst working cowboys could never have been complete without his horse. And so it was. Cowboys are born cowboys, some are born here while others are not and yet they follow their hearts to the same place.

Compadre traveled to Wyoming for one reason I believe - and like all exquisite mysteries, which escape human design. He came to the Cowboy State for his final performance. He did not dance his last to instruments made by men, nor to the voice of men, nor in a groomed arena. He danced to music made by God on a piece of virgin earth. The cattle sang for him. The western sun was his spotlight, a clear blue sky and the silver sage decorated the stage. Those who watched him were his rider's brothers under the skin and they took leave of the chore at hand to watch a dancing horse's farewell performance. How fitting that they didn't know and simply went on with their work afterward. It's the Cowboy Way. True greatness leaves with quiet dignity. The most spectacular sunset is silent - as are many of God's finest visual works of art in Nature ... a peacock feather, a stand of Aspen in the Fall, the Grand Tetons. How fitting that a horse whose life has been spectacular would take his leave with subtlety.

In the accounts of great horse heroes, pain is sometimes part of the bittersweet beauty of a truly great horse story. Real triumph and pain are the ingredients of legends that travel the generations. That I witnessed such a horse story played out where I ride and work, and that the Good Lord saw fit to allow me to know what I saw, is a gift. And then, to have the opportunity to share it ... Well, I liken it to being the announcer who told the rest of the world what he saw when Secretariat run away from every other horse as if they were standing still. The moment was thrilling but only afterward did the magnitude sink in.

I now know what I saw but I didn't know it until I laid eyes on the first page photo used for this article (which Debbie sent to me). It was only after certain events came to pass that the significance of that image took my breath away. What came to mind were other famous horse's retirement ceremonies that I had heard tell of. A darkened arena, spotlights, an arena packed with spectators and friends. Compadre has been dancing for the crowd ... and yet dancing to different drummer all along. Conformity hasn't been the path for him. Saying goodbye to his vocation like he did was certainly not his own invention. He, like all of his kind, are neither blessed nor cursed with the mental processes we humans live by. Nor are the gifts he was born with here by chance. Nothing beautiful and worthy of admiration simply happens. I believe the good Lord, who made Monet, Mozart and Montana also made this Morgan. HE is the only one who could have orchestrated all of the elements for Compadre's very own perfect sunset, and the only one who can turn a tragedy into a testimony of victory from its beginning to the end. Compadre has led a life of victory and on the Wyoming prairie this past May, he ended his career with a final 'victory pass' through a herd of cattle and the lingering pungent smoke of the branding fire.

Compadre is as he was described in an ad: Show Horse ~ Working Horse. That is the essence of the 'western working' tradition. Working for a living, earning his oats. Not all WW Morgans got to 'come to town' but those that did were the 'public relation' arm of the breed. One brother from a ranching family stays on and works the ranch while another brother hits the road to win on the rodeo trail. That is not an uncommon thing in ranching families. An analogy would be Lynn Jespersen, who has been the stay-to-home brother while Eitan is the one best suited to 'go to town' and illustrate the beauty of things Western. Both personalities are 'working cowboys' and both are seeking to preserve a lifestyle for those who live it as well as an appreciation for an industry that feeds the citizens of this country . Both men use the horse as the basic tool that identifies the Cowboy an American treasure.

If it seems like this story wanders from horse to man, there is a reason for it. It is impossible to separate this into a story about two beings and draw lines between horse and rider. Isn't that what every rider's goal is though? So, rather than wrestle with it, this story took on a live of it's own and I simply followed it to it's conclusion.

Compadre is a brown horse, even ordinary at a fleeting glance. He hasn't the imposing stature one might expect from a 'larger than life' celebrity. He's a pretty horse but pretty wont by itself get you far in this life. Salty sweat is where things happen. Ordinary is what happens when there is no Try. Heart and Try is what set Compadre apart from his would-be peers. That and a lot of wet saddle blankets ... another cowboy tradition. Like his founding father, Figure, he wasn't born great. He, along with his owner defined themselves as they made their own way in this world. Compadre is no ordinary horse story, and I think time will prove that. He is a horse who should inspire humans. His story isn't just a horse story. Its much more ... it is wide and deep ... and one that can encourage all ordinary beings to aspire beyond themselves and seeming limitations. 'Cowboy Dressage' is what happened when 3 ordinary beings found flight by way of making opportunities, following their hearts, innovation, creativity, grit, grace and plain hard work. Compadre is much like the American Cowboy whom his trainer admired from afar for so long. The same elements that made success happen for 'Team Cowboy Dressage' are the very same ingredients and work ethic that the ranching cowboy lives by - in days gone by and still today. For that matter, this recipe for success is a proven winner no matter where you hang your Stetson.

A great horse, without exception, will find a great man (or woman) at the reins. Equally true is this old cliché: "Behind every great man is a great woman". Eitan, Debbie and Compadre have been a team from square one. This writer, on a recent trip to California, got to know the unique personalities that made this story an easy assignment. Debbie is a person of tender compassion, attractive dignity, hard-won wisdom and a smile that tells you that you're in the company of 'good people'. While on a trail ride with them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I mentioned that I wanted to collect a few wildflowers to identify. Along the way, 8 got off his horse and picked flowers for me. Cowboy charm and 'romance' to be sure. I now know firsthand the reason who so many people like 8. It is because he is real - no matter where he goes or whom he shares air space with. No 'BS' if you will, no pretense, no phony baloney. People like him are likeable no matter what their station in life is but its so refreshing to see it in someone whose success might have crippled that rare asset. When he got off his horse to pick wildflowers for me, he had no idea what that meant to this cowgirl. Little things aren't little things in my book. Little acts of kindness indicate a soul who lives in a place safe from the vanities that can come with fame. It is therefore no surprise that such people created such a horse. Compadre's happy ending runs a little contrary to the average storybook tale but all in all, his story reads as romantic as the songs the drovers sung to dogies on the western Plains. Tales about the love of a pretty gal, cowboy dreams - some realized, some not, and the lives of man and horse, both well acquainted with Life's weather and the scent of warm leather.

~ Shery Jespersen ~ July 30th, 2002