One in a million This month’s winner is Reflection of Fire: Many horses come into our lives but some touch us more than others. One such horse is Reflection of Fire. Fleckie, as he is fondly known, was purchased as my first hack when I was 13 and had outgrown my ponies. Against all popular opinion that a purebred Arab was not a suitable choice, but we have never once regretted our decision to make him a part of our family. Due to his impeccable nature and temperament, Fleckie went on to silence all the critics by turning his hoof (very successfully) to all disciplines and beating purpose- bred horses at their own game. He has been a multi champion show horse, Western pleasure mount, Open eventer, a dressage horse and most importantly, a loyal best friend. He has been a superb ambassador representing the Arabian breed in many parades up Auckland’s Queen Street. On one occasion in Friday lunch time traffic, when our escort became separated from us, I could literally have hopped off him and straight into a bus’s open doors without stepping foot on to the pavement. Not once did he bat an eyelid at pushchairs being pushed up behind him, streamers flying into his face, traffic, and all the noise and fuss that goes with it all. At age 25 he was still in the winners’ line-up taking several medal places at the North Harbour Masters Games. Now at age 27, he is enjoying a quieter life but an equally (if not more important) job, by being Grandpa to my two yearling geldings, teaching them about life and the appropriate manners they will need to become half the horse he is. He has shared the lives of many people, teaching them the ropes with flair and an air of grace totally befitting of the gentleman he is. He is totally irreplaceable and I wouldn’t even try to find another like him. It will be an extremely sad day when his time is up – he will leave a huge hole in many people’s hearts and a very big gap in the paddock.   Is your horse or pony one in a million? Each month we’ll feature one very special equine on this page. They don’t have to be champions, or have won hundreds of rosettes, to qualify. Just send in a picture of your horse or pony with a brief letter explaining why you’re nominating him or her. The featured horse each month will win a voucher to the value of $100 from theSaddlery Warehouse. Send to: Saddlery Warehouse One in a Million NZ Horse & Pony Magazine PO Box 12965 Penrose, Auckland or email editor@horse-pony.co.nz. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you’d like your photograph returned.