Governor

This hurts a lot.  On Friday morning my Daddy lost his beloved horse, Governor.  Losing Governor is a blow that truly hurts.  He was a very special horse.

Governor was our most famous horse, hands down.  Truly, he was iconic.  Everyone knew Governor. From schoolchildren through the years who would visit Willis Creek Ranch on field trips, to folks at Truman and ATSU who knew that sometimes when Daddy said he was 'going to see Governor' he didn't mean the one in Jefferson City.  :)

Throughout Governor's life he was an avid party attendee.  He was center stage at our barn warming back in 1999.  Just a young colt at the time, he spent the evening in the round pen alongside a barn full of people who were enjoying good BBQ, music and fellowship.  He was the life of the party.  :)

He was always a popular guest at potlucks, political events, and even weddings.  And he famously attended Daddy and Mama's backyard retirement celebration at the Presidents House in town.  Daddy parked the horse trailer across the street and opened the window so Governor could watch the festivities.  When it was time for Daddy and Mama to leave they walked over to greet Governor then climbed into the truck and drove off into the sunset together.

June 30, 2003

Governor was the one horse that was raised here on the place from the time he was 2 months old.  He was truly trained by Marvin from the ground up.  And that was evident.  Even in his later years, he could show that he never forgot what was expected of him.  He and Marvin could step into the round pen and pick right up where they left off.  Governor and Marvin had a special relationship as horse and trainer.  There was a deep respect that went both directions.

early ground work with Governor

working Governor under saddle

After we lost Frosty, Governor became the 'grandchild horse'.  All the kids loved him and rode him, appreciating the fact that Grandpa was sharing his horse with them.  Governor carried many, many children on his back through the years - and not just grandchildren.  He provided rides for hordes of kids, one at a time around the round pen, during school field trips, vacation Bible school events, and even birthday parties.  Sometimes we would chuckle at him displaying his 'grumpy old man' attitude, but he would always take one more child for one more round.

Daddy and Governor were such a good pair.  Together they rode many miles - here at Willis Creek Ranch and far beyond.  There were parades, trail rides, Guys Weekends... or just a quick ride around this beautiful ranch enjoying the peaceful scenery.  When Daddy was President at Truman, Governor was his wonderful stress reliever.  Sometimes, if Daddy could find a 30 minute break in the midst of a stressful day he would call Marvin to get Governor up and ready to ride... then Daddy could drive out to the barn, climb on Governor, and have a restorative 30 minutes with his dear old friend.  It worked wonders.

Hurdland 4th of July parade, 2002

Macon 4th of July parade, 2006

at the Coliseum, Missouri State Fairgrounds. 2007

Guys Weekend - with horses at Lowman Chapel

Daddy and Governor also famously rode on Truman campus.  It began with an idea to get a photo of the two of them on the quad at Truman.  So very early one Saturday morning Daddy and Marvin took Governor to campus where Tim was ready to take the photograph.  It became an iconic image - a true classic.

June 22, 2003

June 22, 2003

Years later, when Troy Paino was about to leave Truman he was asked what one thing he hadn't done that he would have liked.  He responded that he had never ridden Jack Magruder's horse on campus.  :)  Well, Daddy couldn't let that opportunity pass Troy by.  Bright and early one morning, Governor again made the trip to Truman campus and a wonderful new memory was made.  (You can read about it here...)

June 5, 2016

June 5, 2016

Governor was something to everyone.  He was a beloved companion, a teacher, a friend.  He was a good will ambassador reaching out to people of all ages.  He was a deeply loved member of our family.  And we are going to miss him so very much.  But no one will ever forget Governor.

Jonathan riding Governor, Jackson riding Frosty

Jackson riding Governor

Marvin rode Governor, Daddy rode Frosty
in Hurdland 4th of July 2000 parade

Grandpa and Anna out for a ride

Governor and Daddy filmed a commercial for Alliant Bank

filming the commercial - June 2, 2008
(blog post here...)

Daddy also rode Governor on ATSU's campus
when he was President there - 8/24/08

Governor had a warrior heart...

...but he could also be a mentor (pictured here with Bella)

Uncle Ernest on Governor at the family century farm in Shelbina -
Guys Weekend - May 22, 2009

Jonathan and Governor had a special connection

They were buddies from way back.

This was Daddy's first ride with his new hip
(after replacement surgery)    July 20, 2014
(full blog post here...)

Marvin working Governor in the round pen just this past July 2017.

While I have shared many photos here, there are many more that couldn't possibly fit.  You can see them all (almost 500!) at this link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157668236160459

I created a category for 'Governor' so you can easily find posts to this blog that include him.
https://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/search/label/Governor

But here are a few that you won't want to miss.

VBS Kickoff - July 2007 - https://lifeatwilliscreekrancharchive.blogspot.com/2007/07/vbs-kickoff.html

One of many Guys Weekends - September 2007 - https://lifeatwilliscreekrancharchive.blogspot.com/2007/09/guys-weekend.html

Two of many field trips -
October 2007
https://lifeatwilliscreekrancharchive.blogspot.com/2007/10/field-trip-to-willis-creek-ranch.html

May 2013
https://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2013/05/field-trip.html

Jonathan and Governor - August 2011-  https://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/jonathan.html