12/01/2023
It's with a heavy heart that I have to announce that Nordic ISF was laid to rest Tuesday. His body was transported to the farm of his owner, Lindsay Brooks, of Epping NH, and was buried in her 5 acre pasture (photo below). Lindsay picked a special spot that gets a lot of sunlight. as his favorite thing to do was sunbathe. Nordic was purchased as an FEI Schoolmaster in March of 2008, 6 months after I built FSF here in Brentwood NH. He has been my longtime boarder of almost 16 years. Nordic had the stall right in front of my indoor arena door, where he ambushed thousands of people over the years into giving him attention, mostly treats, hugs, and petting. To say he was a barn favorite, is an understatement, he had a VERY magnetic personality!! His stall had a run out area that directly faces my back porch, so for nearly 16 years I've had the privilege of being greeted with those big brown eyes every AM as I made my way down to the barn. I am just now realizing, how these small daily occurrences, can be so impactful. Not only was Nordic the biggest personality in the barn, but he won Lindsay her Bronze and Silver medals very shortly after we bought him. He did have a feisty side however, as many FEI horses can have. Our favorite Nordic story happened at GMHA in Vermont when Lindsay was going around the outside of the arena to start her PSG test. Nordic got very excited and threw Lindsay off, and when she landed, she was face down in the mud, and still holding onto the reins with both hands. Nordic was afraid and confused and started backing away from her, therefore dragging her through the mud. To top it all off Lindsay was wearing a borrowed Shad belly jacket (from Cindy Collins), and all the spectators were yelling at her to "LET GO" of the reins, as she was covered in mud! She finally did let go, and he didn't run off, he just stood staring at her. I don't know how they got the mud out of the jacket, but Cindy and Lindsay are still talking, so I guess they worked it out. Best part was all of this was captured by the show photographer, and of course when I found that out, I bought the photos and didn't tell Lindsay. I then blew up the photo (shown below), to poster size, and had it laminated, I hung it in the barn for all to see. Everyone including Lindsay, had a good laugh. Later in Nordics life, as he started aging, and Lindsay was starting a family (she now has 3 children), he was used for easy lessons, and even beginner riders learning how to push buttons. He was always a true gentleman. Lindsay's children learned to groom, lead, and even sit on him. He was truly a horse of a lifetime! Schoolmaster Extraordinaire, and Gentle Giant! When you come to visit my grave, no matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from winking a grateful eye. RIP our FSF Matriarch!!
