Words cannot express the heartbreak we feel about the loss of Oliver at an event this past weekend [April 7th-8th]. Oliver was a very special horse to us. Andrew showed his sire Joust and he was handpicked by Andrew and Holly as a yearling to be Andrew's future dressage horse. After several years of breaking and then turning him back out I finally decided to try Oliver over some jumps to see if he had any jumping ability at all. I will never forget my first few jumps on him because as I rode him back to the barn I exclaimed to Andrew 'He is my horse now!'. He was such a talented and willing horse from the beginning, albeit a bit spooky as well. I can remember Oliver's first competition, his first training event, his first preliminary, and his first Intermediate. From the beginning of his eventing career to the end there were very few times that he was unplaced. He always rose to the occasion, ears up and eyes huge.

This year when we made the decision to possibly sell Oliver there was a lot of mixed feelings and disagreement within the Harbison family as to whether it was the right thing to do. We were very emotionally attached to Oliver and felt he was just starting to come into his own as an upper level event horse. After meeting Lindsey we never regretted that decision and seeing her enthusiasm and admiration for this lovely horse only reinforced how lucky we were to have found the right match for him. Every show I saw Lindsey at with him she grinned from ear to ear and raved about how much she loved him. I will forever remember them at Red Hills this year as she was petting Oliver outside his stall. They had a great partnership from the beginning and it was so rewarding to hear some of the top riders in our sport speak with enthusiasm about their future together. Oliver was admired by all who came to know him for his talent and great character.

We are so grateful that Lindsey was not seriously hurt in the fall. Accidents can happen to even great riders on great horses, as was the case with Lindsey and Oliver. Our greatest wish is that Oliver will leave behind some lasting legacy of his happy life. We truly hope that in the time they had together Oliver taught Lindsey something she can take to her future in horses and she will be a better rider because of him. I know the confidence, experience, and thrill he gave me will always be a part of my life.


We will miss him.

~ Ruthie, Andrew, and Holly ~