National Geographic The Noble Horse

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00:00:08 He gives us his all.
00:00:10 Speed.
00:00:12 Endurance.
00:00:13 Power.
00:00:18 Yet his wild spirit
00:00:30 Spark of ancient myth...
00:00:34 pride of king and conqueror...
00:00:37 ...he was the backbone
00:00:41 History was forged
00:00:46 Even now, he still lays claim
00:00:50 - with all the bold beauty
00:00:54 that is the horse.
00:01:53 Summer
00:01:54 sets off fireworks in the
00:01:58 Spurred by heat and hunger,
00:02:00 wild horses converge
00:02:04 and sparks begin to fly.
00:02:29 Stallions spar
00:02:31 and court young mares
00:02:32 in a drama as old as the hills.
00:02:54 The mustang has become a symbol
00:02:58 But some say he's a newcomer
00:03:02 even a trespasser.
00:03:04 The truth
00:03:05 is tangled in the long and
00:03:12 It began some
00:03:15 in the forests of North America.
00:03:20 Living on leaves,
00:03:21 a creature the size of a fox
00:03:23 walks the underbrush
00:03:29 In time,
00:03:30 forests give way
00:03:35 Legs grow long,
00:03:36 and toes become nimble hooves
00:03:39 built for speed.
00:03:44 About a million years ago,
00:03:46 the first true horses
00:03:47 spread across land bridges
00:03:51 Their numbers swell,
00:03:53 then slowly decline
00:03:55 perhaps due to climate change,
00:03:58 or the impact of a
00:04:04 To Ice Age hunters,
00:04:05 the herds must have seemed
00:04:08 But by 8,000 years ago,
00:04:11 horses were extinct
00:04:14 and dwindling elsewhere
00:04:23 Then somewhere on the steppes
00:04:26 at least 4,000 years ago,
00:04:29 the horse inspired someone
00:04:37 It may have begun
00:04:40 or a reckless teenage prank.
00:04:44 But some brave soul
00:04:48 and changed the world forever.
00:04:58 The horse utterly changed our
00:05:02 He carried us forward
00:05:06 and made our world smaller.
00:05:10 Great equestrian cultures arose
00:05:16 Today, most have vanished.
00:05:18 But here on the steppes
00:05:21 little has changed
00:05:22 since the time when the horse
00:05:27 Nomads still measure
00:05:31 and move vast herds
00:05:39 Small but hardy,
00:05:40 Mongolian horses endure
00:05:43 and grow a thick winter coat.
00:05:46 When pasture is meager,
00:05:48 they can survive
00:05:55 Mongolian nomads also
00:05:58 goats and cows,
00:06:00 but horses
00:06:03 Revered,
00:06:04 they are largely reserved
00:06:07 and one other important role.
00:06:10 Mongolia's national drink,
00:06:13 is fermented mare's milk.
00:06:18 Life in the saddle begins early
00:06:23 "A Mongolian without a horse
00:06:33 In July,
00:06:34 thousands of nomads
00:06:35 set up camp on the edge
00:06:38 Ulan Bator.
00:06:40 They come to celebrate Naadam,
00:06:42 an ancient religious festival.
00:06:49 National competitions of
00:06:52 including two days
00:06:57 One of the country's top
00:06:59 Khen Medekh
00:07:00 traveled over a week
00:07:02 to take part in what will be
00:07:07 From a herd of 400 head,
00:07:09 he has brought
00:07:14 Also in tow are
00:07:17 for good reason.
00:07:19 Riders must be under 12
00:07:23 Training, however,
00:07:24 is no child's play.
00:07:26 It's what Khen Medekh lives for
00:07:47 Horse training is a passion.
00:07:50 My father was a great trainer
00:07:53 It's the same for
00:07:57 We compete at Naadam
00:07:59 to see who has the best horse,
00:08:01 and because we're so proud of
00:08:04 A fine racehorse
00:08:06 is a symbol of good luck
00:08:15 On the day of the first race,
00:08:17 preparations begin at dawn.
00:08:20 Hats and bright silks
00:08:22 spot their little jockeys
00:08:28 The distinguishing mark of
00:08:30 is a leather tail wrap
00:08:32 always wound clockwise.
00:08:36 Forelocks are also bound.
00:08:41 Khen Medekh enhances
00:08:45 bearing Mongolia's
00:08:48 He has high hopes for
00:08:54 With an offering of mare's milk
00:08:56 Khen Medekh's wife
00:08:57 invokes the sacred powers
00:09:00 to bless horses and riders.
00:09:07 A circle of incense purifies.
00:09:14 A drop of airag protects
00:09:22 An ancient Buddhist chant
00:09:36 Some 500 riders will compete
00:09:42 Parents on horseback
00:09:46 By tradition,
00:09:47 they circle clockwise
00:09:49 at a staging area
00:10:05 But the running of the race
00:10:09 The starting point lies
00:10:12 in the open steppe.
00:10:15 To reach that point at a walk
00:10:17 will take the racers
00:10:21 which leaves time to kill
00:10:24 Nomads like Khen Medekh
00:10:26 take the moment to catch up
00:10:29 and trading partners.
00:10:32 For people who live much
00:10:34 in relative isolation,
00:10:36 there's also
00:10:39 of new faces.
00:10:47 For now,
00:10:48 small talk belies the drama
00:10:53 as 500 horses reach
00:10:57 and the race begins.
00:12:32 Long before they can see
00:12:35 spectators crowd
00:12:39 According to myth,
00:12:41 the dust kicked up
00:12:44 showers happiness
00:12:46 on all those it touches.
00:13:05 Front-runners have been
00:13:09 By Western standards,
00:13:10 this might qualify as
00:13:14 but these are the descendants
00:13:17 who forged the largest land
00:13:21 on horseback.
00:13:32 The blue sash of victory
00:13:34 goes to the first five horses
00:13:40 A flash of green tells
00:13:42 his granddaughter has placed.
00:13:46 But a riderless horse
00:13:47 sends him off in search of
00:13:57 After an initial flurry,
00:13:59 racers trickle in for
00:14:08 Herd instinct alone will keep
00:14:11 even one that lacks the fitness
00:14:14 for a long-distance run.
00:14:18 For some,
00:14:20 the strain is too much.
00:14:44 When a horse dies
00:14:48 the trainer is dishonored.
00:14:53 But the child who has lost
00:14:56 reaps only heartbreak.
00:15:20 A fall near the starting point
00:15:23 dashed the hopes of
00:15:27 His horse is safe,
00:15:29 his bruises minor.
00:15:31 But his six-year-old pride
00:15:34 until the races are over.
00:15:44 Naadam concludes in
00:15:47 with a parade of champions.
00:15:51 Khen Medekh is twice a winner.
00:15:54 His grandchildren take
00:15:56 through their victory laps.
00:16:04 A herald sings the praises of
00:16:11 medals and mare's milk
00:16:19 But for each little rider,
00:16:21 the highlight is a kiss from
00:16:33 No other nation makes more
00:16:41 Fiery steed,
00:16:43 faithful servant,
00:16:45 he is all good things to
00:16:50 In return,
00:16:52 they may succeed in saving the
00:16:56 on earth
00:17:01 Before the rise
00:17:03 his kind ranged throughout
00:17:08 Alert and aggressive,
00:17:09 they were elusive prey
00:17:11 with their camouflage of
00:17:13 their upright,
00:17:17 These horses were already rare
00:17:21 when Russian explorer
00:17:22 Nikolai Przewalski returned
00:17:26 He carried a skull and hide
00:17:28 that would prompt the
00:17:38 In a race for specimens,
00:17:40 stallions were slaughtered
00:17:43 Mares were killed to
00:17:46 Dozens died en route to zoos
00:17:48 and animal collectors
00:17:56 Przewalski's horses
00:17:59 in the 1960s.
00:18:01 A decade later,
00:18:02 fewer than 300 survived
00:18:05 in captivity only.
00:18:09 This endangered species was
00:18:19 In 1992,
00:18:20 16 Przewalski's horses from
00:18:24 touched down in Ulan Bator.
00:18:29 Their journey was
00:18:31 of Dutch conservationists
00:18:37 Transports were blessed with
00:18:39 as the horses arrived at
00:18:43 established in their honor.
00:18:46 The homecoming
00:18:50 Their name for the horses
00:18:53 The word also means spirit.
00:19:04 Today,
00:19:05 some 80 free spirits roam
00:19:10 under watchful eyes.
00:19:17 Park rangers closely track
00:19:20 and behavior.
00:19:24 Breeding success is high:
00:19:27 two generations have been born
00:19:31 To increase the gene pool,
00:19:33 horses are still brought in
00:19:39 But prospects for
00:19:42 are promising.
00:19:48 Mongolia's preservation
00:19:51 seems a fitting tribute
00:19:52 to an animal who has given us
00:20:00 Domesticated, the horse
00:20:05 but in the process,
00:20:07 he was also transformed.
00:20:13 The legendary Arab is just one
00:20:19 some honed for work,
00:20:21 some for sport,
00:20:23 others for sheer show.
00:21:56 The Spanish horse
00:21:57 boasts one of
00:22:01 His speed and stamina were
00:22:05 The famous Spanish Riding
00:22:07 was founded in his name.
00:22:10 A dancer's grace made him
00:22:14 and earned him the title:
00:22:16 "Royal Horse of Europe."
00:22:20 Today, he inspires
00:22:24 at the Royal Andulusian School
00:22:28 in the town of Jerez,
00:22:30 in southern Spain.
00:22:34 Few gain admission here:
00:22:37 only first-rate horses,
00:22:42 A strict curriculum has produced
00:22:47 The school also keeps
00:22:51 Once a week,
00:22:52 the public is invited in,
00:22:54 to enjoy the splendors
00:23:02 In 18th century costume,
00:23:04 riders recreate the height of
00:23:08 as it was practiced throughout
00:23:17 Most spectacular
00:23:19 are the
00:23:32 Horses naturally leap and kick
00:23:35 Centuries ago,
00:23:36 cavalry mounts were trained to
00:23:50 Eventually
00:23:51 each gesture became an end
00:23:54 as formal as ballet.
00:23:58 A supreme effort,
00:24:03 virtually in place
00:24:19 Few can perform
00:24:22 with the power and precision
00:24:27 The purity of the breed is
00:24:31 yet his bloodlines extend
00:24:35 for this
00:24:36 was the horse
00:24:43 Some 500 years ago,
00:24:46 Spanish explorers rode upon
00:24:51 Some native people
00:24:54 for a single fearsome creature
00:24:58 But soon,
00:24:59 they would make the horse
00:25:11 Through stealth and trade,
00:25:13 Native Americans embraced
00:25:17 It was said
00:25:19 "they came to each other
00:25:28 Some called him "Sky Dog."
00:25:33 He opened vast horizons
00:25:36 and haunted their visions
00:25:43 But this cult of the horse
00:25:47 By the 19th century,
00:25:48 Native Americans
00:25:51 and livelihood.
00:25:54 Their beloved Sky Dogs
00:25:57 or simply set loose.
00:26:00 Scores of Indian ponies
00:26:04 already thriving
00:26:08 By 1900,
00:26:10 over a million horses
00:26:16 But not for long.
00:26:18 To make way for cattle
00:26:21 public lands were cleared
00:26:23 considered worthless pests.
00:26:28 They were slaughtered
00:26:30 for pet food, fertilizer,
00:26:33 and mere sport.
00:26:38 In the 1950s,
00:26:39 public outcry denounced
00:26:42 Still,
00:26:43 numbers had dropped
00:26:47 when a federal law was finally
00:26:54 as a "living symbol of the
00:27:04 Today,
00:27:04 the Bureau of Land Management
00:27:09 on public lands in 10 states.
00:27:14 On the Montana-Wyoming border,
00:27:17 the Pryor Mountain Wild
00:27:19 is home to a herd of about 160
00:27:22 Most live in small family
00:27:27 their foals
00:27:32 His role
00:27:35 and protect
00:27:43 This stallion, known as Raven,
00:27:45 is one of the most dominant
00:27:48 A heap of fresh droppings
00:27:52 alerts him that potential
00:28:02 A band of
00:28:05 prompts Raven to move his
00:28:13 Then he advances
00:28:16 and confrontation
00:28:23 Raven may be outnumbered,
00:28:25 but at ten years old,
00:28:26 his maturity and experience
00:28:40 As he enters the fray,
00:28:42 his band stays put on
00:28:48 Most clashes between stallions
00:28:50 are more about asserting rank
00:28:54 and serious injuries are rare.
00:29:01 In the end,
00:29:02 the bachelors move on
00:29:06 and Raven returns to his mares
00:29:18 Occasionally,
00:29:19 even mature stallions
00:29:23 A stud named Starman
00:29:26 acts as a subordinate
00:29:27 or "lieutenant stallion"
00:29:30 who has a mare and foal
00:29:33 Flash tolerates
00:29:37 but allows him no access to
00:29:44 In summer,
00:29:44 a waterhole fed by
00:29:48 attracts this small band.
00:30:08 The mare enjoys
00:30:11 while her three-month old foal
00:30:17 But for now,
00:30:18 the water holds no appeal for
00:30:23 Starman
00:30:25 picks up the scent of
00:30:27 and sets off in hot pursuit.
00:30:33 The mare's yearling son tries
00:30:36 but fails to impress
00:30:56 This mare's own stallion
00:31:00 a boon for Starman.
00:31:03 Still,
00:31:04 she rejects his advances.
00:31:31 In the end,
00:31:34 and Starman can only observe
00:31:36 the tactics of
00:32:04 At times,
00:32:05 the Pryor Mountains seem
00:32:12 Though much of the terrain
00:32:14 and winters are harsh,
00:32:16 summer pastures can be glorious
00:32:31 The horses have few predators
00:32:34 most were eliminated by
00:32:40 With high fertility rates,
00:32:42 the horses' numbers can increase by 10,
00:32:45 even 20 percent a year.
00:32:50 And that means trouble
00:33:00 In the last three decades,
00:33:01 the Bureau of Land Management
00:33:03 has removed more than 100,000
00:33:10 The round ups are intended to
00:33:13 from overgrazing
00:33:15 and ensure the health of
00:33:27 Excess animals are placed
00:33:30 but supply far exceeds
00:33:34 Horses deemed "unadoptable"
00:33:37 live out their days
00:33:42 Even now,
00:33:43 the fate of America's
00:33:46 remains an open-ended question
00:33:54 Some 4,000 years
00:33:57 have failed to deprive the
00:34:02 His natural impulse
00:34:03 is to flee the company
00:34:07 Bryan Neubert makes a living,
00:34:09 not "breaking"
00:34:11 but-in his words-
00:34:17 This two-year-old quarter
00:34:20 born on the open range,
00:34:22 has never been handled.
00:34:25 On his ranch in
00:34:28 Bryan is about to
00:34:40 Bryan
00:34:41 will chase the horse until
00:34:45 The goal is capture
00:34:49 and keep it.
00:34:50 I'll ask again now. Good.
00:34:53 Now let's see if he leaves
00:34:55 or if he leaves with
00:34:59 See, here's the...
00:35:01 the first little part
00:35:02 is gonna happen here in
00:35:09 Subtle shifts of body language
00:35:12 keep the horse focused
00:35:15 If his attention wanders,
00:35:16 I might see if I can get
00:35:19 As long as he's doing that,
00:35:23 I'll take another step.
00:35:28 And I'll take another one here
00:35:32 He's having trouble with it,
00:35:39 He's gonna have to leave here
00:35:42 And I'll try to direct him back
00:35:43 There, he adjusted in
00:35:45 that's what I'm gonna
00:35:54 Within about 15 minutes,
00:35:56 the young stallion has
00:36:00 Now Bryan presents
00:36:04 I might do just a little
00:36:05 and see if he can stand that.
00:36:08 And I'll see about,
00:36:09 see if I can put that on there
00:36:13 And I'll just,
00:36:16 just let that go.
00:36:18 And it's kinda scary.
00:36:21 You can see that it's
00:36:27 I'll just put
00:36:28 just a little pressure till,
00:36:30 till he finds his way
00:36:34 See, he keeps thinking
00:36:37 but the answer's right there.
00:36:43 The horse turns to Bryan
00:36:47 a critical breakthrough.
00:36:52 Now he might reach for me.
00:36:59 Let's see if,
00:37:02 he'll come in here. I'll see if
00:37:05 without scaring him.
00:37:07 See how he's reaching for me?
00:37:10 Now here's a spot where you
00:37:12 'cause some of them,
00:37:14 they'll take a run at you.
00:37:18 Now, I'll just wait here
00:37:20 Like that.
00:37:21 See him smelling me?
00:37:25 There's the first,
00:37:26 second
00:37:28 time he's ever
00:37:30 been touched by a human
00:37:34 Now, again, let's see
00:37:36 will disappear. I'll just keep
00:37:41 and I'll see if he'll reach
00:37:46 And pretty soon I'll reach
00:37:50 We sorta met one another.
00:37:56 Little bit of touching there.
00:38:04 Little bit more here.
00:38:06 See, he's finding out he can
00:38:09 In a horse,
00:38:11 there's a spot
00:38:14 they can just turn
00:38:17 You can see in their eye
00:38:20 a change that comes over them
00:38:23 and they'll begin to
00:38:24 and their eyes'll soften
00:38:25 and you can just see
00:38:27 beginning to trust you
00:38:28 move right on and really
00:38:32 I'll get my weight shifted back
00:38:35 He's feeling a whole lot
00:38:38 he's finding out I can touch
00:38:45 Less than half an hour after
00:38:48 Bryan tests the saddle.
00:38:50 Very important to swing this on
00:38:53 so that it doesn't hit him.
00:39:00 I'll just grab it, gradually
00:39:02 just lays right over on
00:39:08 I don't mind seeing one buck
00:39:10 because being a prey animal,
00:39:13 that's his responsibility to
00:39:17 That's where the predator has
00:39:19 If he can get above
00:39:23 then he can have himself
00:39:27 Pretty dreamy now,
00:39:28 but we'll see what
00:39:31 he feels that saddle on there
00:39:33 I'd rather he test the saddle
00:39:35 before I get on than after
00:39:38 Now I'm gonna move him off,
00:39:42 if I can.
00:39:43 I'm not trying to
00:40:09 Okay,
00:40:09 maybe I'll give him
00:40:13 Did you get scared?
00:40:30 It's been less than two hours
00:40:34 a fairly routine
00:40:37 He'll leave the saddle in place
00:40:41 then give the young stallion
00:40:43 a well-earned rest
00:40:51 Yesterday's fear gives way to
00:40:56 Today will be another
00:41:02 Social animals feel safest
00:41:05 As a comfort to
00:41:08 Bryan has corralled
00:41:22 See, if he wiggles,
00:41:24 I'll just wait here
00:41:29 Pet him over here as
00:41:38 get myself kinda set
00:41:45 Might let him go right out
00:41:47 And I'll just ask him to go.
00:41:49 If he gets upset,
00:41:52 wants to run,
00:42:19 People ask me about
00:42:21 this new way of working
00:42:24 Far as I know,
00:42:25 long as there's been horses
00:42:29 interacting with one another.
00:42:30 I don't know how the
00:42:34 the horse for the first time
00:42:36 something working for him.
00:42:43 I'll get a little bolder
00:42:44 as he gets a little more
00:42:47 confidence.
00:42:49 I'll ask him here
00:42:51 to come back to me
00:42:54 and he did.
00:42:56 The young stallion's
00:42:58 lasts no more than 15 minutes
00:43:00 and prompts a simple reward.
00:43:07 Hey kid.
00:43:10 This just kinda soothes
00:43:12 give them a little hugging.
00:43:14 a place where they,
00:43:16 a lot of them just can't stand
00:43:20 And if you can show them
00:43:23 to be this close,
00:43:27 soothing kind of thing.
00:43:33 They really have to trust ya.
00:43:44 By day three,
00:43:45 it's time to abandon
00:43:50 A whole new life is beginning
00:43:56 He's gettin' so he trusts me
00:43:59 I see.
00:44:03 And Bryan
00:44:05 is left to ponder
00:44:08 about the nature of horses.
00:44:11 I often wonder:
00:44:14 allow somebody to get up
00:44:16 and guide them around?
00:44:18 They'll take us
00:44:19 miles and miles till
00:44:21 you know, tired. Pull wagons and
00:44:24 pack loads and all kinds
00:44:26 when actually they could
00:44:28 or buck us off any time.
00:44:31 And yet they'll just work
00:44:33 if it's presented to them in
00:44:37 Pretty special animal, really.
00:44:42 Special, indeed.
00:44:47 No more than 60 years before
00:44:50 the world was driven
00:44:54 Every sector of the economy
00:44:59 transport and trade,
00:45:01 industry and agriculture.
00:45:06 No creature served us better
00:45:10 or its occasional overthrow.
00:45:15 For millennia, the warhorse
00:45:20 If not for a horse,
00:45:22 would Alexander
00:45:28 Who can imagine Attila the Hun
00:45:30 or Napoleon on foot?
00:45:34 Over a million horses served
00:45:39 Nearly a third died.
00:45:42 In World War II,
00:45:44 tens of thousands perished in
00:45:52 The Age of Horsepower
00:45:58 And yet there are more horses
00:46:00 than during the 1800s
00:46:03 some 62 million.
00:46:07 In an Age of Technology,
00:46:10 perhaps we yearn all the more
00:46:25 The horse is no longer
00:46:29 But he can still change lives
00:46:31 one at a time.
00:46:35 In central Georgia,
00:46:37 Carol Wooley has loved horses
00:46:42 In 1995,
00:46:43 a friend told her about
00:46:46 who had seen better days as
00:46:50 His name was Carousel,
00:46:52 and he needed a home.
00:46:54 Carousel was in his mid
00:46:57 a little lame,
00:46:58 in fact,100 pounds
00:47:01 He was a little swayback,
00:47:03 just a good quiet lesson pony
00:47:07 Carol took good care of him.
00:47:09 Local children rode him.
00:47:11 Soon
00:47:12 Carousel was a favorite.
00:47:17 In 1996,
00:47:19 two weeks after the summer
00:47:21 the Paralympics came to Atlanta
00:47:24 Some 3,500 athletes attended.
00:47:29 For the first time,
00:47:30 equestrian events were included
00:47:33 Sixteen nations sent teams.
00:47:38 It was up to event organizers
00:47:39 to provide horses
00:47:43 with a wide range
00:47:51 Each would be judged
00:47:53 smoothness, and harmony
00:47:56 while performing a set pattern
00:48:00 A call went out to horse
00:48:03 well-trained mounts.
00:48:06 Carol Wooley volunteered
00:48:10 but Games Officials were
00:48:13 She thought twice
00:48:15 then sent for old Carousel
00:48:19 After a check-up,
00:48:20 he was quickly put to the test
00:48:26 And later in the day
00:48:29 and I met Brita Anderson
00:48:31 who's a very small woman
00:48:34 and I thought to myself,
00:48:36 "There's no way she
00:48:39 She spoke English quite well,
00:48:42 and I asked her, "Have you ever
00:48:44 And she smiled
00:48:46 "Many times."
00:48:50 Far from falling,
00:48:52 on the day of competition,
00:48:53 Brita and Carousel took Carol
00:49:01 Brita and Carousel
00:49:05 He knew exactly
00:49:07 and she knew how to get
00:49:11 And he loved her.
00:49:12 I'm still not sure
00:49:14 but they just were
00:49:23 The judges agreed.
00:49:26 The pair took first place
00:49:29 and received the highest score
00:49:31 of all the competitors.
00:49:38 From Denmark,
00:49:40 Brita Anderson
00:49:42 riding Midland's Carousel,
00:49:45 owned by Carol Wooley.
00:49:49 When they won the gold medal,
00:49:53 this little pony and a horse
00:49:57 and a world-class rider,
00:50:00 and the thought that
00:50:02 and they earned it,
00:50:03 it was probably one of
00:50:16 By the time she returned home,
00:50:18 Carol had decided to start
00:50:30 Horseback riding
00:50:32 and muscle tone,
00:50:34 as well as a sense
00:50:36 and self-esteem in people with
00:50:41 For Carol
00:50:42 there's no greater reward
00:50:44 than to see someone like
00:50:48 take her first ride.
00:50:49 You're riding, kid!
00:50:54 When you take a child
00:50:56 and put him on a horse,
00:51:00 The walk of a horse mimics
00:51:02 the same movement
00:51:03 you get to actually walk on
00:51:07 it gives them freedom
00:51:10 it gives them control
00:51:12 that they may have never known
00:51:13 before. They can control
00:51:21 Carol runs the school
00:51:23 donations and volunteers.
00:51:26 And Carousel heads her fleet
00:51:29 past their prime.
00:51:33 In August of 1998,
00:51:35 at a regional show for riders
00:51:39 Carol decides to send Carousel
00:51:43 one last time.
00:51:47 Nine-year-old Shawn Donalson,
00:51:49 one of Carol's top students,
00:51:51 has never competed before.
00:51:54 It's a breathless moment
00:51:56 for his parents.
00:52:02 Make the old man proud.
00:52:04 He's got a good horse.
00:52:07 Knows what to do.
00:52:09 Young boy and old horse
00:52:13 and take a blue ribbon.
00:52:15 In first place,
00:52:16 Shawn Donalson.
00:52:18 A first for Shawn,
00:52:19 a final trophy for Carousel.
00:52:31 The competition concludes
00:52:35 As a symbol of retirement,
00:52:37 Carol removes the saddle
00:52:40 of unknown breeding
00:52:42 who has meant so much
00:52:50 To him
00:52:52 go the full laurels
00:52:58 He was quite calm and stood
00:53:02 He half way,
00:53:04 that we were doing
00:53:08 I was a little surprised
00:53:09 that he didn't mind us
00:53:11 He acted like, well, those were
00:53:15 I think, he enjoyed it really.
00:53:20 He wasn't just an old sway
00:53:25 He was everybody's dream
00:53:39 He served everyone
00:53:41 every place he's been.
00:53:43 He's done everything
00:53:46 all of his life.
00:53:48 To me, he symbolizes
00:53:51 that have worked hard
00:53:53 and have given us
00:53:57 He's a fairly tale of a horse
00:53:59 But there's probably
00:53:59 thousands of them out there
00:54:03 I guess he's the poster child
00:54:30 For all they have done for us,
00:54:33 for all that they are,
00:54:35 may they always
00:54:38 each and every one.