Chimney Sweep  (1961?–1996)

Morgan gelding
"Sweeper"

Sweeper was my first horse. I bought him in 1977 when he was about 16). He was a 14.3h gelding and a very confident, bold, and steady boy. He could do it all—I did eventing, dressage, jumpers, and trails with him. He would let me attach longe lines to his breastplate so that we could pull a friend on skis behind us across a snowy field. He was a lovely mover and a stylish jumper, and he forgave me all my beginner fumblings and took care of me whenever I did something stupid.

He seems to have been owned by many people—often, if I took him to a show, someone would say, "Oh, there's Sweeper! I remember when XX owned him!" I know he had been a show ring hunter and a field hunter before I met him.

He was the sort of horse that I wish I could clone. As a first horse he was a gem beyond price. Everyone should have a Sweeper in their riding life!

My trainer encouraged me to move on to a younger, bigger horse, and so in 1981 I sold Sweeper to another beginner rider. He stayed in the same stable, though, so I was able to keep up with what he was doing. Eventually that beginner sold him to my trainer, and Sweeper began a new career as a school horse.

He was finally retired at about the age of 34, and when one day he was unable to walk back to the barn from his pasture, he was euthanized. He was probably about 35 at the time.