A Tribute to Pip
Pip, registered as Double Dragon, was a very successful showhunter pony. He was ridden by Maggie Atkinson from 1986-88 and bought by the Marshall family for daughter Samantha in 1988. Eight months after he was sold to the Marshalls, the pony was diagnosed with navicular disease. He was humanely put down before he felt much pain. Pip died on September 8, 1988 at 8:42am. He left many wonderful memories behind him, and was very much missed by everyone who knew him. A plaque is nailed to the fencepost outside his paddock, and says the following:

To Pip. Your untimely death has left an emptiness inside us all that no-one else will ever be able to fill. We will miss you forever. With love from us all.

Maggie and Sam both wrote poems shortly after Pip’s death which were read at the funeral given for him, which all of his friends were invited to attend. These were the poems.
 

I remember you with love
You were a fantastic little guy
Kind, honest, sweet and
Ever so gentle in every way.

We won a lot of prizes
We jumped a lot of jumps
You never failed to cheer me up
When I was down in the dumps.

Sadly I had to sell you,
And when I did, you were fine
Had I but known that my beloved pony
Had only a limited time.

Only eight months after
The first time we’d said goodbye
I had to say it yet again
As I watched you die.

You were so happy when I had you
You were happy when with Sam
As we stood and watched you go
I gently squeezed her hand.

She loved you so, so very much
As did I, my little pony
Your death that cold September morning
Left us all a little bit lonely.

I’ll always miss my Pip
For you were mine to the end
Your death has left a place in my heart
A hole that will never mend.

       Maggie Atkinson, 12
       NEW ZEALAND
 

Double Dragon was your name, Pip to your
Owners, friends and everyone else who
Used to know you. A safe and
Bold jumper, honest as the day is
Long. Never was there another pony to
Equal you. You were special.

Dance, my little pony, and be happy.
Romp through heaven’s meadows
And frolic in the long, sweet
Grass, filled with clover. I remember when you grazed in
Our paddocks. I remember going to catch you, and you
Nickered me a greeting that horrible day. You

Watched me coming towards you, smiling
As I crossed the paddock. You tossed your beautiful head,
Swished your beautiful tail and came over

To say hello. And as I patted you,
Haltered you and led you away, you could hear the
Echo of your whinny as Star said goodbye.

But it was the final farewell, because my
Exceptional little pony was about to die.
Sadly I patted you, and as the needle went in, I
Touched you gently on the nose. It was the last thing you felt.

       Samantha Marshall, 9
       NEW ZEALAND

Email ponies101@hotmail.com (to contact Maggie) or bright_spark_nz@hotmail.com (Sam)

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