In Loving Memory of
RESPLENDOR DE SOCIAGRO

With my first visit to Oak Island Farm in Wilsonville, Alabama, I can vividly remember the pristine grounds of this world class Paso Fino show horse facility, but what captured my eye more than anything was a stunning "bone" white, stallion named, "Resplendor de Sociagro". Ray, as we called him, looked so majestic in his stall, unlike any horse we have ever owned, but most of all, so elegant and noble.

We asked Sheila Conde, Oak Island's equine manager, about his potential for sale, but she informed us that he was the personal ride of Oak Island's owner/Health South's CEO, Larry House, and was not for sale. Destined to own some part of this wonderful stallion, we opted for a young three-year-old colt named, "Romeo de Isla", one of Resplendor's first sons. He became my wife's personal horse and a carbon copy of his dad with tremendous hocks, a work ethic beyond belief, and an intense brio that was totally contained.

Several years later, my wife and I along with Julie Garris and Cary Hardiman put a syndicate together to purchase Ray from Oak Island. Again, Larry wasn't ready to sell, so we stood by in hopes that one-day he would. That day came to pass when SunHaven Paso Finos made a large purchase of horses from Oak Island, which included Ray. After initial contact with SunHaven, an agreement was made, and upon the conclusion of the 2000 "Paso Finos in Memphis" horse show, Ray was FINALLY MINE.

We brought him home, gave him a 12' x 24' stall with a run out, his own pasture, and treated him like a King. After several months off, we started riding him, and instantly, I realized his power and quickness was like no other horse I'd ever ridden. The greatest day in my life with Ray was the weekend we went undefeated in the ring at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in A/O Performance Stallions. He was probably only at about 20% of his abilities after a 5 year layoff from the ring, but he was still sensational.

For most of 2001, Ray was with our dear friend and superb trainer, Cary Hardiman. Even at 14 years of age, Ray was getting much stronger and quicker just like he was as a young colt. Stephanie Dunkin-Brown kept him supplied with carrots and his muscles fluid with weekly massages, Purina put his nutritional program together, Dr. Mark South, DVM, kept a close eye on him for any potential problems, and we, as his owners did whatever he needed for this, HIS coming back/retirement year in the show ring.

One week prior to the "Mid-South Premier" show in Tunica, Mississippi, Cary called and said Ray was slightly off his feed. Two days later, Ray arrived at Tunica, and we both knew something was wrong. His weight was dropping, his appetite was dwindling, and his demeanor was changing. What in the world was happening to my boy? Not now, we were only two months away from Nationals, his last one, and then a life of leisure for him trail riding and making babies.

The Vet. was called, Ray's personal Vet's were consulted, and within hours, he was on his way to the equine emergency clinic at Mississippi State University. I will never forget his last walk down the hallway to board his trailer for the clinic. Jaime Suarez, Jaime Gascon, Cary Hardiman, Juan Carlos Conde, Clay Cox, Rick Meyer, Riff Rodriguez, Kathy Briggs, Beth Ulesman, Lee Clemons, Larry Whitesell, Babel Aponte, Carlos Tobon, and Carmen Micheletti, all icons in our breed, watched in horror as I led this noble horse away. Tears were streaming down my face, and it was obvious that I wasn't the only one emotionally wrecked by seeing him this way, knowing he would never be back.

During the trip to the clinic, I begged God Almighty to spare this wonderful horse and allow him to retire at home with us, but upon arrival at the clinic, I could see the look in his doctor's eyes, which said, Ray would never leave this facility. Immediately, he was given fluids, blood drawn, IV's started, and a general prognosis that he was going into chronic renal failure (kidney failure), with severe bilateral laminitis, and ulcers throughout his body. With this he was given a 25% chance of survival. Within 24 hours, Ray stopped eating, kept losing weight, and couldn't drink any more water.