A state of rigor mortis, from the looks of things. Here, from the Onion and by way of David’s American Legends sports blog, is an unforgettable, moving image of a great stallion, cut down in his prime and lying in state.
“Barbaro was a great horse, but an even better person,” said Cheryl McElroy, still visibly shaken after filing past Barbaro‘s coffin and placing a single red rose upon it. “He taught us how to triumph over adversity and how to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds. He showed us that anyone could win the Kentucky Derby if they just believed in themselves—even you or I. And he proved that people can lead perfectly normal, productive lives after breaking their long pastern bone and being diagnosed with laminitis of the left hoof.”
During the ceremony, the usually festive Churchill Downs was eerily quiet, with the only sounds in the building coming from the low rumble of muffled drums, the clacking of horses’ hooves, and a dirge-like rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home” played in a minor key by the University of Louisville marching band. As they laid his casket on the bier, Elton John performed a special version of “Candle In The Wind” rewritten to describe Barbaro‘s tragically short life.
Ashes to Alpo…
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raincoaster 
What did the funeral director say to Barbaro’s mom?
“Why the long face?”
I aughta smack you.
Blucher!
NEEIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHHHHH
“Ashes to Alpo” …
AAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHA! You slay me! =)
Thanks for the laughs…
Its impossible not to chuckle every time I see that photo! Thanks for the plug!
YW. Glad to pass along the exposure! You might want to check out Its a Definite Maybe, over in the blogroll: he’s got a couple of sports blogs and might do a link exchange.
I like animals, but I was a little puzzled at the nation’s reaction to the tragic death. One news guy on National Public Radio (US) said that the news of Barbaro’s death made him cry. He was serious, as far as I could tell.
Tragedies like this are the glue that holds our nation together, I guess.
There has been a sort of “grief inflation” whereby it seems that grief is easier to come by and cheaper than ever before. It is inspiring to watch an animal coming back from an injury, but to take it this personally indicates to me very clearly that we’re seeking, in the world of celebrity, the meaningful connections that are missing in our own lives.
I once said that more people were emotionally effected by Princess Diana’s death than any other death in history, and I stand by that. But if not for the modern media environment we live in, that wouldn’t be the case. When Kennedy was shot, most people in China didn’t hear about it for days. And when they did, they thought of it in political terms, not emotional ones.
Actually, it is now Barbaro himself who is the glue holding things together.
Another hoof-hearted attempt at humor >B^D>
You’ve become possessed by the spirit of FFE! What do we want? Exorcism! When do we want it? Now!
Isn’t it true that Barbaro really died in a horrible accident while filming a remake of ‘Animal House”?
Can’t wait for the next Gallop poll on this one . . .
I’m saddled with guilt on this one . . . maybe this’ll stirrup some blanket awareness of horse health issues, or else I’m gonna be pommelled to death, bit by bit . . . .
By the way, Reincoaster . . .
it should be an ex-horse-cism
Okay, now I’ve got John Cleese with an oversized cage squawking: “THIS IS AN EX_HORSE!”
Poor old Barbaro–one minute you’re riding the Gravy Train, next …
By the way–I nominated my local farrier for “Businessperson of the Year”.
He’s a-shoein’
Is this pic for REAL?
Man, we have got to stop beating a dead horse!
I am contacting the Center for Disease Control and they are quarantining this comments thread until further notice.
Check it for hoof-in-mouth disease–good idea!
and people still ask where the Colonel got his Kentucky Nuggets from…….
Ballsy move there, Glavar, but it steers away from the mane thrust . . . .
Barbaro got his name changed – it’s Elmer
And he’s really bonding now . . .
Thank you, we’ll be here through March . . . .
Not if I can help it. Where’s the big hook…
I’m bridling at the thought . . .
besides, who could be more cavalier about this subject than I?
I picked a helluva time to dry out.
Admit it – you love Metro and me for it.
and if he lived in Alaska, you’d be calling him MetroNome
You know, my mother used to explain the computer term “Head crash” by saying it’s when the head goes CRASH on the desk. I’m getting those a lot lately.
LMAO @ FFE. You jerk……….
That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me in this thread . . .
Metro-Gnome? Actually that’s the Astro-Gnome, a modified Nash Metropolitan built for show.
RC–the drying out is almost certainly linked to the head crashes. However, as I understand it “drying out” for you means the bars don’t open for another hour, this will all soon be a blurry memory, you scared-o’-cat.
He is a card, that FFE, non? He calls himself Cavalier, but I think he is a true Maverick, a real Charger. He’s always willing to Pony up and go out seeking medals to Pinto his chest.
And I hear it whispered that he’s a real Starion.
Last of his kind (Possibly a Final Frontier Editor?).
Cavalier? Or Roundhead?
You figure it out. After all , I do live in a Commonwealth . . . .
Oh, and did you hear about the latest G.I. Joe marketing campaign? The New Model Army.
I thought that was Versace’s entourage.
badadaDUM! It’s rubbing off on you, face it . . .
That’s an unfortunate clash of metaphor right there. Now I need a shower just thinking about it!
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