Pokey enjoying the warm spring sunshine and the tender new grass ...
To Denise, and the Friends of Pokey: May 2006
There is no place I would rather be than joining you all tonight to celebrate the life of a very special friend and companion to Denise and the wonderful people who were so fortunate to also know and love Pokey, The Famous Horse From Allamuchy, NJ. Sadly, my professional commitments do not allow me to share this night with you. But I would like to add my presence to your gathering with some words of condolence, personal insight and encouragement. As Northeast Regional Director of the American Grade Horse Association, Denise has been an indispensable part of our growth and development since a very humble beginning. Her enthusiasm and boundless energy to promote recognition and appreciation for everyday pleasure horses that do not have the benefit of outstanding pedigree clearly shows her love for ALL horses. The strength of her commitment even extended to registering Pokey with the AGHA to serve as a proud example to others, even though he was a highly pedigreed and registered American Quarter Horse.
Over these past few years, I missed several opportunities to actually meet Pokey. But through Denise, I believe I came to know him as well as I know my own horse. And my sorrow over his passing gripped me almost as if he were indeed mine.
I’m sure there is no need for me to relate to you Pokey’s story of hardship, pain and struggle to overcome overwhelming injuries on his way back to becoming a champion. Nor do I need to say how Pokey and Denise became inseparable icons to untold numbers of children and adults alike, with their inspirational story about meeting and defeating some of the most insurmountable obstacles life has to offer. Pokey and Denise, two together as one, gave freely and unselfishly to your community their message of hope, perseverance and success through mutual love and trust. Your presence here tonight is in itself a testimony to the power of that message, and your appreciation for that wonderful gift you have received from your special messengers.
Even now, under a burden of loss few of us can fully understand, Denise continues to find hope where others would only find sorrow and dismay. When she told me of Pokey’s passing one of the first things she said was "I’ve never had a tragedy that didn’t open another door of opportunity. But how do I tell the children?" Once again, I find myself humbled by her concern for others while she ignores her own personal pain.
As you all share this special evening celebrating the life of an extraordinary horse who helped to heal so many, please take a moment to also embrace his extraordinary partner who has also enriched us all by allowing Pokey to be such an inspirational part of our lives and to live forever in our memories.
The years of work that Pokey and Denise have done to brighten the lives in your community, especially among the children, is not done. It is time to help take up a place that has been sadly left vacant. With your prayers and continued support Denise will find that door that is ready to open. And if the past has taught us anything at all, we would be well advised to follow her.
Denise:
My heart goes out to you. The respect and admiration I have for you and Pokey is beyond words or measure. What you have done… and will continue to do… reflects the epitome of community involvement that can be accomplished by a single horse and rider. It is the very essence of what the American Grade Horse Association aspires to. That being said:
It is my honor to tell you the AGHA directors, by acclamation, have declared Denise "Rodeo Barbie" Dabinett and Pokey, The Famous Horse From Allamuchy, NJ, as The AGHA Horse and Rider Of The Year for 2006.
Also, to further honor Pokey’s memory, I have instructed the AGHA Foundation trustees to fund our very first educational scholarship, to be known as the " We Love Pokey Endowment", in the amount of $1,000 awarded annually to a "special needs" youth applicant seeking a career in equine studies or vocation.
Although I am not there to share this evening with you and Pokey’s many friends, I can tell you with absolute certainty that sometime between 7 PM and 10 PM on May 8th, 2006 I will be in my paddock, hugging my horse and thinking of you and Pokey.
Skip Taggart President American Grade Horse Association
Fans Say A Sad Farewell To Pokey
ALLAMUCHY, N.J. — Pokey, a horse who had his own fan club, died on March 31 following a brief and sudden illness.
Pokey, the famous horse from Allamuchy, would have turned 19 this month. He was celebrity among Northern New Jersey fair-goers and was usually decked out in red, white and blue as he carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies at the Flemington Fair and the Warren County Farmers Fair.
Denise “Rodeo Barbie” Dabinett, also known as “Pokey’s Mom” bought Pokey in 1997 without even trying him out. The two quickly became inseparable, competing in timed events such as barrel racing and pole bending. Pokey was invited to be on display at the 1997 Flemington Fair, where he was reserve champion in his first attempt at the speed events.
In July 1998, at the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show, Pokey was out of the money in the barrel races by a mere 1/100th of a second. In barrel racing, just fractions of a second can make the difference between winning and losing. Dabinett soon found out that life can change just as quickly.
As they headed for home, the trailer jumped a curb, Pokey fell down and his leg was forced through the gap between the door and the sides of the trailer.
When the trailer was stopped Pokey got to his feet, but he could only stand on three legs.
Dabinett was told he would never be able to compete again, and was destined to life in a pasture. Or was he?
And after his accident I stayed at his side to return the love and encouragement he had so willingly given to me. We became partners on a mission to share his story of inspiration with others who need a vision of hope where none seems to be found. Along the way, we made countless new friends and discovered the magic a little bay-colored horse with a big heart can have on those who need the will to go forward against pain and insurmountable odds.
Later that summer, with his leg all bandaged up, Pokey returned to the Flemington Fair. Dabinett thought the attention from fairgoers would aid his recovery. Children who had seen him the year before were excited to see him again. Then, ‘‘The get well cards and letters started coming in by the hundreds,’’ Dabinett said. The mail continued coming in long after the fair ended.
In May 1999, Dabinett decided to throw a birthday party for Pokey so the children didn’t have to wait until the Flemington Fair to see him. Despite rainy weather, 60 people came out to the party. She threw another birthday party the next year, and this time 300 people showed up.
In June 1999, the vet cleared Pokey to participate in the Hack-ettstown Memorial Day parade, as long as he took it slow. Next was the Allamuchy Day Parade and then the Warren County 4-H Horse Leaders show. Dabinett planned to take it easy at Pokey’s first show since the accident, but Pokey had other ideas. He took home the high point Grand Championship in the speed events. Pokey was his old self again.
Since then, Dabinettt and Pokey won numerous ribbons at shows and participated in many parades and made regular appearances at the Warren County Farmers Fair. Pokey’s story inspired Dabinett to author a book, Pokey, A Dream Come True. Then in late March, Pokey took ill at a farm in Pennsylvania and veterinarians were unable to save him. Dabinett said, “Words cannot express how utterly shocked and heartbroken I am at the unexpected loss of my best friend. Pokey and I found each other at a time when we needed each other the most. His courage and determination inspired me to succeed in doing what doctors said I could not do.
“Pokey is now where the grass is always tall, sweet and green. He is in a safe place, where the sky is always blue and the water is cool and clear. It’s not a faraway place. It’s right here in my heart. And in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, too.” Friends of Pokey are invited to a “Celebration Of Life Memorial Gathering” for ‘Pokey — The Famous Horse From Allamuchy,’ on his birthday, May 8 th at Mattar's on Rt 517 in Allamuchy.
Donations “In Memory of Pokey” can be sent to the Warren County 4-H Horse Program, 165 Rt. 519 South, Belvidere, N.J. .
Memorial gathering scheduled for beloved horse, "POKEY"
April 2006
A celebration of life in memory of a horse who became a celebrity at the Flemington Fair, Warren County Farmer's Fair and other gatherings of horse-lovers will be held in Allamuchy, Warren County.
Pokey, a horse who had his own fan club, died on March 31 after a brief illness at a horse facility in Pennsylvania.
Pokey, who would have turned 19 in May, developed his own following after being displayed at the Flemington Fair and later the Warren County Farmers Fair.
Hunterdon County native Denise "Rodeo Barbie" Dabinett, bought Pokey in 1997. The two became inseparable, competing in timed events such as barrel racing and pole bending. Pokey was invited to be on display at the 1997 Flemington Fair, where he was reserve champion in his first attempt at the speed events.
In July 1998, at the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show, Pokey was out of the money in the barrel races by a mere hundredth of a second. As they headed home, the trailer jumped a curb, Pokey fell down and his leg was went through the gap between the door and the sides of the trailer. When the trailer was stopped, Pokey could only stand on three legs.
Dabinett, who now lives in Allamuchy, was told he would never be able to compete again. Later that summer, with his leg bandaged, Pokey returned to the Flemington Fair. Dabinett thought the attention from fairgoers would aid his recovery. Children who had seen him the year before were excited to see him again. Then, "the get-well cards and letters started coming in by the hundreds," Dabinett said. The mail continued coming in long after the fair ended.
In May 1999, Dabinett threw a birthday party for Pokey so the children didn't have to wait until the Flemington Fair to see him. Despite rain, 60 people attended. His next birthday party drew 300 people.
In 1999, the vet cleared Pokey to participate in the Hackettstown Memorial Day parade, as long as he took it slow. Next was the Allamuchy Day Parade.
The Warren County 4-H Horse Leaders show would be Pokey's first first competition since the accident and Ms. Dabinett planned to take it easy. But Pokey had other ideas, and he took home the Grand Championship in the speed events. Pokey was his old self again.
Since then, Dabinettt and Pokey have won numerous ribbons at shows and participated in many parades and made regular appearances at the Warren County Farmers' Fair. Pokey's story inspired Dabinett to write a book Pokey, a Dream Come True.
Then in March, Pokey took ill and veterinarians were unable to save him.
Friends of Pokey are invited to a "Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering" on his birthday, May 8 at Mattar's Restaurant in Allamuchy.
In leu of flowers, donations “In Memory of Pokey” can be sent to the Warren County 4-H Horse Program, 165 Rt. 519 South, Belvidere, N.J.
Pokey was a fair and parade favorite. Many mourn the quarter horse that had lots of area fans.
ALLAMUCHY TWP. A famous local face will be missing from this year's Warren County fair and parade circuit -- not to mention a famous tail and famous set of hooves.
Pokey, the famous little quarter horse from Allamuchy, who was a star of local fairs and parades, has died unexpectedly at a horse farm in Pennsylvania.
"Words cannot express how utterly shocked and heartbroken I am at the unexpected loss of my best friend," his owner Denise Dabinett said.
Dabinett is not the only one mourning Pokey. Karen Lund's writing workshop class at Great Meadows Middle School wrote poems and drew pictures in the horse's honor Monday. A memorial gathering for Pokey is being held on May 8, which would have been his 19th birthday. Horses generally live to be 30 or 40, Dabinett said.
More than 35 people had RSVP'd for the gathering by Monday, though Dabinett hadn't told more than 10. She expects a crowd as large as Pokey's last public birthday party, when 300 people -- including 250 children -- came.
"He was always special to me. I just didn't know how special he is to everyone else. Times like this, you find out," Dabinett said.
Pokey may have been best known for his "story time" attraction at the Warren County Farmers' Fair. Children regularly packed his fair booth, fair Vice President Ann Thomas said.
"There were a lot of kids who loved this horse. He represented a lot of things to a lot of people," said Thomas, who was especially fond of Pokey's nuzzles and kisses. "Granted, it's just a horse, but he was a very special horse!"
So special that Pokey had his own post office box at the Allamuchy post office and his own Web site, www.welovepokey.com. The Web site featured letters from Pokey's pals including an 8-year-old from Annandale who wrote, "Dear Pokey, You do so much for everybody, I just wanted to say thank you."
Pokey was an inspiration to children because of how he recovered from a foot injury. In the following year, he ran to win the Horseman's Riding Club of North Jersey's Grand Champion of the year in Sussex county .
"To the kids, he was a symbol of strength the reason the kids related to him were the stories when things seemed so bad, you can overcome them," Lund said.
