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Lechuza Caracas polo ponies Obituary

Twenty-one horses from the Lechuza Caracas team are confirmed dead after collapsing before a polo match Sunday, a team veterinarian said this morning adding that it was unlikely the culprit is performance enhancement drugs. The horses, all from the same team, died one by one "almost certainly of an intoxication of some sort that they consumed," said Lechuzas Caracas team veterinarian James Belden, a local vet, who was among those working to save the horses using intravenous fluids.

Published by The Palm Beach Post from Apr. 20 to Jul. 17, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Lechuza Caracas polo ponies

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177 Entries

(Isaiah 11:6) The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, and with the young goat the leopard will lie down, and the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; and a little boy will lead them. So it will be in the not so distant future God has promised we will have access to nature's wonders in animals and never long for an animal companion ever again, what joy for all us animal lovers.

May 16, 2015

KATHY AND BUDDY BARNETT

June 8, 2012

ALICE BANDEL

October 21, 2010

To all those horses who died that day;
You run with God now.

Maggie Evenings

January 11, 2010

I was very sad to here about your horses, I dont know how to ride but I would like to learn, I know there no way you can replace the horses that you lost, I do wish your team the best.

Mr. Sebastian F. Lewis

SEBASTIAN LEWIS

July 7, 2009

Someone said once that the trouble with life is that animals do not live long enough and people live too long. May the memory of these beautiful creatures sustain you though grief and may the love you have for them be shared, in time, with other horses.

Mary Morris

June 23, 2009

I pray they did not suffer, My deepest sympathy to the family of these beautiful animals, I have always loved horses all my life...

Laura Laplace

May 29, 2009

No words can describe the loss of these beautiful animals.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Maureen

May 4, 2009

To the Lechuza Carqcus Family,

There are no words to give at this time that would comfort in your loss. Please accept my prayers and sympathy. Having groomed for a low goal team in NY I have a great appreciation for the sport and the horses.

Stephanie G

May 4, 2009

It gives me grief on the death of the horse and pony
Greetings
Isolina M. Albano
Caracas Venezuela

Isolina Albano

May 3, 2009

To the entire Lechuza Caracus Family,

There simply are no words adequate to encompass the enormity of your loss and certainly none that can ever make it any better. I am so, so sorry for your tragedy. I think of you all every day, and you are in my constant prayers ...

A horse owner and lover in Charlotte,

Robin C.

May 1, 2009

Love and deepest sympathy from the Deck family.

May 1, 2009

Dearest owners, trainers, riders & grooms,

Any words of sympathy I could offer would only fall short in consoling your grief, for there is none.

All I have to offer is a broken heart and tears that flow endlessly for such a horiffic unnecessary tragedy.I'm so sorry for this unbareable loss.

May God give you peace and know He is in charge of all things. Take consolation in knowing that your beloved ponies are in the presence of the Almighty, and know only the joys of heaven.

God bless you and know you are in millions of people's prayers.

Beverly, a horse lover in Delaware

Beverly James

April 29, 2009

My heart weeps! Peace and Love to your Polo family! oxox

Donna

April 27, 2009

IN GOD'S KINGDOM THEY'RE RUNNING AGAIN !!!

Andree Van Wert

April 27, 2009

I want you to know you are in my thoughts today. I cannot imagine what is going through all your minds...not just one person is affected by this tragedy...it has affected your whole family. Having a horse of my own, I know the hurt you must be feeling. Horses aren't "pets" they become a member of your famly. The entire world feels your pain at this time...and we are behind you. May those beloved beautiful family members rest in peace.

Amanda Lowry

April 26, 2009

To the Lechuza Caracus Polo Club Family,

As Strong as they look...
is how fragile they are...
21 shiny new stars twinkle in the sky...

May the passing of time eventually bring you peace, and turn your unfathomable grief into loving unforgetable memories.
My horses and I send to all of you our heartfelt love, deepest sympathy and hope.

Leslie Stryker

April 26, 2009

April 26, 2009

April 26, 2009

"If not for the horse, man would have been slave to the wolf" (author unknown)

Former member and club manager
of the Twin Cities Polo Club

Orv Volkmann

April 26, 2009

I was there and saw the horses go down, I grieve with you, such an insurmountable loss. I can only hope that measures be taken to prevent this from ever happening again

Geri Rakosky

April 24, 2009

IF YOU BURY HIM IN THIS SPOT, THE SECRET OF WHICH YOU MUST ALREADY HAVE, HE WILL COME TO YOU WHEN YOU CALL – COME TO YOU OVER THE FAR, DIM PASTURES OF DEATH, AND DOWN THE REMEMBERED PATHS TO YOUR SIDE AGAIN. AND THOUGH YOU RIDE OTHER LIVING HORSES THROUGH LIFE, THEY SHALL NOT SHY AT HIM OR RESENT HIM COMING. FOR HE IS YOURS AND HE BELONGS THERE. PEOPLE MAY SCOFF AT YOU, WHO SEE NO LIGHTEST BLADE OF GRASS BENT BY HIS FOOTFALL, WHO HEAR NO NICKER PITCHED TOO FINE FOR INSENSITIVE EARS. PEOPLE WHO MAY NEVER REALLY LOVE A HORSE. SMILE AT THEM THEN, FOR YOU SHALL KNOW SOMETHING THAT IS HIDDEN FROM THEM, AND WHICH IS WELL WORTH KNOWING. THE ONE PLACE TO BURY A HORSE IS IN YOUR HEART."

Lyn King

April 24, 2009

As a horse owner I want to send my thoughts and prayers, I wish the owner and team members best wishes and keep your heads high. Remember them in their best moments (on the field).

j.t.s

April 24, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr.Vargas and and The Lechuza Caracas team members and staff. The loss you have endured is heartbreaking and this community stands behind you!

HG

April 24, 2009

I am feeling your pain in mourning these great horses, may this never happen again. Hold them close.

Sharon

April 24, 2009

I am deeply saddened for your loss. May God give you strength to go on. Such an awful thing; I am so sorry this has happened. God Bless the horses. Please look up the poem, "Just A Horse". People who don't have horses will probably not understand what horses mean to those who do have horses.

CE Williams

April 24, 2009

My Thoughts are with you.

Linda

April 24, 2009

What a tragedy. May they all find peace in a better world.

Evelyn

April 24, 2009

Unbelievable sad!

Jack Forbes

April 24, 2009

Words cannot express the sadness so many of us feel over the loss of these beautiful horses. I pray that God sends his peace and healing to all of those who are grieving. Your precious horses will always be in our hearts.

Lisette

April 23, 2009

My sincerest condolences to the Vargas family, Lechuza players and dedicated grooms. The loss of your 21 team members, your equine family, is a painful tragedy. Our hearts go out to all of you.

Kim

April 23, 2009

I know there aren't any words to help. Mis condolencias por tan irreparable perdida.
Luz,

luz Buitrago

April 23, 2009

Where in this world can man find nobility without pride?
Friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity?
Here where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined.
May these 21 beauties fly on Angels wings to Heaven.

Mary Dobrin

April 23, 2009

I am at a loss to find the right words of comfort to help ease the emptiness and pain in all your hearts at the loss of these 21 beautiful souls. I send you my prayers and will keep you in my thoughts-I do this in loving memory.

Kathi

April 23, 2009

It is hard to read what happened to these most beautiful creatures. All I can pray is that lessons will be learned from this tragedy and to never let it happen again. May God speed the healing of all involved and may those beautiful horses run freely- peacefully and forever upon a polo field in the clouds.

Shelly

April 23, 2009

May God look over and continue to care for these beautiful horses and hopefully with that knowledge the people who cared, loved and cried over these horses will heal.

lee malkin

April 23, 2009

I cannot tell you how sorry I am for your loss... My heart is with you all... Their souls will continue to shine...

Robin

April 23, 2009

I was so sad to hear of the terrible loss. Horses are so beautiful and strong. Nothing in the world is better then the bond and relationship with your animals. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on this terrible loss of your team mates and friends. I know there aren't any words to help, but know that We are mourning with you.

Theresa

April 23, 2009

There are no words for the sadness i feel! May God Bless those horses, and may God give the players,owners and all related the strenght to go on.

Cheri

April 23, 2009

I, along with so many others, feel such sadness for the loss of the 21 beauty babies. God bless those who lost them and us, who will forever remember the beauty and elegance they displayed.

Jenny Hollingsworth

April 23, 2009

I am devastated by this tragic event. I can only imagine how heartbroken the team must feel. My deepest sympathies.

Laurie

April 22, 2009

notengo palabras para expresar mis sentimientos sobre la perdida de tan adorables animles que me cuesta decir porque para mi son muy queridos
con dolo
pura y manuel santos royal palm bech fl.

pura santos

April 22, 2009

"The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." ~ Arabian Proverb
Carrying your grief over a loss so great in my heart. May knowing the love and care you gave these precious ponies bring you peace. God bless and keep you.

Bonnie

April 22, 2009

"Gypsy gold does not clink and glitter, it gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark"
We all love our horses and mourn the passing of those belonging to Lechuza team.

Pat

April 22, 2009

I am so sorry to hear of this tragic loss of so many noble horses. My heart goes out to everyone who knew these horses and loved and cared for them daily, as well as the vets who tended to them. You are in my prayers.

Jill Kraushaar

April 22, 2009

My heart goes out to all who grieve over this tragic event.

Suzanne, fellow animal lover

Suzanne Jewett (Abrams)

April 22, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dee Cook

April 22, 2009

It was a very sad day for all of us in Wellington when the news broke about the death of your beautiful ponies. It still pains me to drive past the fields where they once ran and played. Our thoughts are with you, the whole team and staff.

April 22, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Fellow Animal Lover

April 22, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Horn Family

April 22, 2009

Please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of my family and myself. We are animals lovers, and I am a Pre-veterinay student at MSU, and this has rocked our equestrian community, I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Karin Schiele

April 22, 2009

Prayers to everyone who is heartbroken from this tragic loss, to the grooms, owners and players who loved and cared for these horses. May your hearts be healed ....

dionne urban

April 22, 2009

So sorry, Ponies

Anna

April 22, 2009

I am so sorry to hear about such a tragety. My condolences to all involved.
May they all Rest in Peace.

Katie

April 22, 2009

My heart goes out to the players, owners and grooms. May these exceptional ponies rest in peace.

EJ Harrison

April 22, 2009

DaughterLaura, Huband Dino Marks,Daughter Sarah, Husband Duncan Hotston We all play and have seen and enjoyed Lechug Caracas ar our club Cowdray Park. Words Cnnot express our shock and distress at the loss of your brautiful ponies. Our deepest sympathy to Mr Vargas, the team, and the grooms who must be devastated. Please come back to our beloved sport whwen you can - you will be greatly missed.

Michael Plant

April 22, 2009

May they all be in a place with endless green grass & blue skies. So very sorry for ALL the connections.

Janice Zealand

April 22, 2009

Deepest sympathies for your loss. Our prayers are with everyone who is suffering from this devastating loss.

Cricket Stone

April 22, 2009

Thoughts and prayers to all who are suffering from this sad loss.

Amanda V.

April 22, 2009

Many thoughts and prayers go out to the Lechuza team.

Julia Espada

April 22, 2009

I offer my sincere sympathy to everyone associated with these ponies. What a devastating loss.

Holly Pierce

April 22, 2009

I am still in shock.. please accept my heartfelt condolences on this terrible loss of your team mates and friends. As a horse owner, I know there aren't any words to help, but know that We are mourning with you.

Chris G.

April 22, 2009

My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies are with everyone involved in this tragedy. Rest in peace beautiful ponies.

Samantha Peterson

April 21, 2009

Such a tragedy for those beautiful creatures. I send my prayers to the family, players and grooms who lost their friends. God bless the souls of these wonderful animals.

Scott Spencer

April 21, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies.Horses are noble creatures who will give you their all. This is most certainly a huge loss to the polo community and all animal lovers.

Erica Davey

April 21, 2009

From Mexico with love and sympathy on this tragic day. On behalf of the El Rey Polo Club, Puerto Morelos. Mexico, I send all the players and grooms of the Lechuza Caracas team and the vets and helpers who attended our most heartfelt sympathy, I cannot begin to imagine how you must feel, we are thinking of you.

Catriona Brown

April 21, 2009

May God Bless all....My heart bleeds with sadness.

Nancy Latimer

April 21, 2009

Rest in peace, ye beautiful and brave . . .

polly thompson

April 21, 2009

To all the polo community: What happened with those wonderful horses is unbelievable; I send not only my condolences to Mr. Victor Vargas, but to my fellow countrymen who were playing for his team, their grooms, vets and all those who had struggled to save the life of those beautiful animals. I hope that this tragedy will not occur again. Luis
[email protected]

Luis A. F. Wetzler JD

April 21, 2009

I am so sorry that you have lost such wonderful steads and friends. May they rest in peace.

Barbara Guerena

April 21, 2009

May their souls travel through the sky like their unicorn brethren, to play eternally on the polo pitch in the sky.

Dee Mirich

April 21, 2009

Words cannot convey my heavy heart or sadness for Mr. Caracas, his staff and vet staff that tried to save these amazing animals. I was in Wellington in February for the Winter Equestrian Horse Show, such a beautiful place for such a horrific event. Rest in peace my dear, brave friends...

Karen Santacroce

April 21, 2009

I shed 21 tears today at the news of this tragic loss. You are all in a better place now, away from the cruel realities of Earth. God bless.

Will Leitch

April 21, 2009

I cant think of anything worse than loss of these precious animals. When will the people realize how beloved these creatures are and not just objects to do what they want. They must be treated with love and care. My sadness aches and my heart is sorrowful over this event. My love goes out to each of you precious beauties and may you be with Barbaro and 8 bells in heaven. Deepest love.

Freeman Leemur

April 21, 2009

You know what the hardest part about this is? I recently removed the band-aid that covered my heart after Barbaro died. Now I have to cover my soul with 21 new bandages. Life is so, so rough.

F. M. Roloff

April 21, 2009

I couldn't work today just thinking of those horses, I am around them all the time and I simply love approaching them and playing with them when I can. I live in Wellington and from now on when I see another horse, I will remember these poor horses that did not de serve to die this way. May they ride the most ride in pony land....

Margie Werner

April 21, 2009

April 21, 2009

I AM SO VERRY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. AS A HORSE OWNER MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE. SO SORRY

CARRIE MCDEVITT

April 21, 2009

They are now in Horsie Heaven. My thoughts go out to those who cared for these animals.

Dave

April 21, 2009

aunque suene repetido, sinceramente lamento muchisimo y solo espero que haya justicia, un abrazo desde Tres Arroyos BsAs

gerardo garcia hurtado

April 21, 2009

So traggic! Those amazing animals were so loyal and did only what was asked of them. At least they had a very loving life!

Rodney Ralston

April 21, 2009

As a long time horse owner and photographer of horses my heart goes out to the owner, grooms,vets and others that worked so hard to save these noble creatures. Loosing one horse is hard, but 21 is beyond belief. Their ashes should be taken and placed in a memorial in memory, as Barbaro's will be at Churchill Downs.

Darlene Wohlart

April 21, 2009

April 21, 2009

Recordado Victor: Segui con tristeza la noticia, soy amante de los animales y cuando vi el nombre del Team pense en ti, luego confirme que era un duro momento a compartir con mi amigo de los pupitres de la Catolica, la ultima vez que conversamos fue cuando lo de tu hijo, siento los momentos, Doy gracias a Dios por poder estar de alguna manera en dificiles momentos, el afecto es para eso para dar fuerzas y llorar con quien se quiere. Imagino lo que estas sintiendo y estoy contigo.
Yo sigo entre New York y Miami, ojala poderte abrazar en cualquier momento.
Mis palabras son extensivas a todo el team, los ponies estan hoy en el "God's heaven" jugando, quizas con alguno de mis perritos que haya estan.
Con el sentimiento de siempre, Maylin
[email protected]

maylin silva

April 21, 2009

My heart aches for you. I have loved horses my entire life and own a beautiful mare. Please know that many prayers are with all of you.
Mary Derryberry

Mary Derryberry

April 21, 2009

My sincere sympathy for your loss of your beautiful and talented horses. As an owner of Tennessee Walkers I understand the thrill of riding a talented horse and the pain of loss in untimely death. May God comfort you as only He can.
Judith, Mississippi

Judith

April 21, 2009

I can think of nothing that hurts more than the loss of a horse that one loves and cares for and the loss of 21 is beyond comprehension. My heart goes out to the grooms, the team, and Mr. Vargas.

Sherri Booye

April 21, 2009

What a tragedy. May peace and blessings go to all those affected and to the horses themselves. Horses are truly God's creatures, beautiful and sensitive creatures with kind hearts and souls.

cathy clark

April 21, 2009

Horse lovers' hearts the world over are broken. God bless and comfort you in your tragic loss.

Polly Thompson

April 21, 2009

This my second time writing in a guest book and it is not my idea of fun. My name is Brianna and i live about 20min from where these beautiful ponies died. my heart and soul goes out to those who knew these great creators and those who were there when they passed. I hope they find what happened. And i wish there was more many of us could do or could have done to help these ponies. instead of only being able to write in this book of how sorry we are that they are no longer with us. Again i say my heart goes out to those that knew these great horses. I have three of my own.

Brianna Brackett

April 21, 2009

May these precious, innocent, amazing creatures rest in peace. My heart goes out to the owner, grooms, riders, everyone the ponies made a difference in a life- may cherished memories with time help fill the void you feel in your broken heart. My heart aches for all of you all and the ponies. I am so so sorry for your loss.

Julie

April 21, 2009

To lose a whole team of these magnificent Athletes is a dreadfull loss. A very very sad day for the polo world. Here in Windsor England are polo community feels your pain.
My deepest condolences to the grooms, players and Parton of Lechuza

andrea palin

April 21, 2009

My heartfelt sympathies for the Lechuza Caracas Team and all the grooms.May you find comfort in the days ahead knowing that these horses have touched the souls of many.

Mitzi

April 21, 2009

There are no words to express my sadness at the loss of these beautiful and majestic animals. My prayers will be with you all, as I have lost a beloved horse in the past, and a long time family dog more recently, and know the deep sadness it brings.

Marilyn Trippe

April 21, 2009

It occurred many horses died and people wonder why .
Myself I rode many horses in Cuba back in the old days but I have not ride horses here in the USA.
I care about horse too.
Hoping to find what cause their dead soon.
Thanks.

Jose Escalada

April 21, 2009

love and Light from Dubai

Riccardo Ferrari

April 21, 2009

My deepest sympathy....my heart heart goes out to you...I am so sorry for your loss

Lisa

April 21, 2009

I am so very saddened by the deaths of your beloved polo ponies. As a lifelong horse owner and a polo fan, I can only imagine how devastated you must feel. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your tragedy.

Pat

April 21, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you for your great loss. May your favorite memories ease your grief. Also, I know how close the grooms are to the horses, my heart goes out to them.
Barbara-Pennsylvania

Barbara Torrens

April 21, 2009

My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you all. May the happy memories of these wonderful horses, though painful now, eventually bring you comfort.

Jeannye

April 21, 2009

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