CH In Neon ERB

[ldenenholz11]

I don't know many of the details behind his death, but I found out this morning that sometime in the last few days, CH In Neon ERB, has left us due to complications post-colic surgery. Affectionately known as "Herman" by some and "Neon" by others, his show record reveals his ability to excel in a wide variety of divisions. Although he had probably the most success as an adult three-gaited show pleasure horse, particularly with Jamie Hitchins and Catie Hawley, he also served as am adult show pleasure driving horse with Karen Waldron, an amateur park horse with Karen Waldron and Lee Adams Hudson, and with my good friend Caroline Cherry, a ten-and-under walk/trot horse in 2007 and her juvenile three-gaited horse this season.
For those of you who do not know, "Neon" was the only horse ever to win the 3 gaited 2 year old class and the 2 year old fine harness class at Louisville (on back to back days no less). I remember having a conversation with Hoppy Bennett about Neon in 2007 and he informed me that Neon was probably the nicest all-around show horse he has ever bred. Coming from Hoppy, who has seen many fantastic show horses come through his breeding program, this is an extremely high compliment.

Here's a link to picture of him winning at UPHA Chapter 1 with Caroline this spring. At 17 years old, he was still going strong!
http://www.rickosteen.com/Chapter1/36/slides/472-0870.html

[AshleyLeigh]

So sad! He was such a neat horse! My condolences to everyone that shared their lives with this grand horse.

~Ashley

[jenimomof3]

I am so sorry to hear this. I saw him show numerous times with Jamie and Catie and thought he was such a neat horse. My condolences to his present and past owners.

[tj15]

i am so sad! i loved this horse!

[albert]

I adored this horse - prayers to all involved in is great life and loved him

[katie]

So sad! I had a picture of him on my door for years when I was growing up.

Lots of love to his family & those touched by such a cool horse.

[dahponyboy]

I'm very sad to hear this. I've known Herman a long time. I have a funny pic that someone took at Devon of me putting the ribbon on his bridle after Lee had won the park championship. The pic was taken right at the time he turned and bit me on my elbow.
I remember telling Karen that she should try the pleasure driving route. We took him to a small multi breed show close to home for a tryout. I got to show him. The judge had been judging all kinds of classes and wasn't totally into it. We were near the end of the show and when we were in the lineup the judge was happy to see a good horse. As he walked by us he stopped for a long moment and said, "That's a really nice horse". He was.

[lshiely]

My prayers go out to all of those you were lucky enough to know him, he was certainly an awesome horse!

[rubberduck]

I remember this wonderful horse from when he started showing as a two year old. I thought that he never looked better or happier as when Caroline was showing him these past couple of years. My sincere condolences to the Cherry family and everone who loved him. He was a great one!

[htc3133]

Thank you for all your kind words. We had recently sold Neon so he could teach a new rider all that he had taught Caroline . He was the most versatile horse and would do anything you asked of him.He was wonderful and Caroline misses him so much.He was one of the great ones.Helen Cherry