Riva Sharples | Editor
If you watched the Homecoming Parade last Friday in Beresford, you may have marveled at Darell Vik’s beautiful, black Percheron horses as they trotted by. One of those horses – Geno – is particularly special, having done his part to help humanity, says Vik.
First, Geno is a special horse that is able to lead in a way that many horses can’t.
“[At the parade], Geno was the lead horse in front of a team of two,” explains Vik. “This is called a unicorn hitch. Most people have never seen this type of hitch before. This is a hitch to drive at shows and competition. Geno has always been up front lead the other horses. [To do that], a horse has to be really broke to be up there by himself.”
Interestingly, there is a practical purpose to a unicorn hitch, says Vic.
“[In history], when hauling freight and when they got stuck in the mud or on a steep hill, the third horse that was being led would be brought up front for the extra power that was needed,” explains Vik. “And that’s where the unicorn hitch comes from.”
Geno is not only special because of his ability to work on his own and lead – he has also had an important role in helping a struggling person, shares Vik. Vik views it as his own version of the Christmas story.
“This is a horse story that exemplifies what Christmas is all about,” says Vik. “Our Christmas Horse Story reminds me of the Christmas Story famously told by Grandpa Jones when a man was expecting the Lord as his Christmas guest. The Lord did indeed visit the man, but he visited him as a beggar with bruised, cold feet; as a woman who the man gave something to eat; and as a lost child on the street. Each person was allowed to come in and each time found the warmth of a friend. The famous story explains that of all Christmas gifts, love is the best gift and the Lord was honored to be the man’s Christmas guest. Whatever your level of faith, I believe you’ll find this horse story symbolizes that love is the best gift of all and the gift of love can be given in unexpected ways, even by a horse.”
Here is the story about Geno.
The story begins at the county fair where Vic and his family were showing their horses.
“The hitch and most of our crew was outside getting ready for an upcoming class, and Sherri, one of the faithful people who are part of our hitch crew, stayed in the barn with the horses that were not being used at the time,” explains Vic. “A young lady approached Sherri and declared that she’d heard Geno’s name over the loudspeaker and was thrilled to know he was here again this year. … Geno towers over most horses and people, but he is a gentle giant with beauty and grace. The young lady excitedly requested to take a picture with Geno and, as is the normal policy, her wish was graciously granted and Sherri snapped the photo. Then, calmly and methodically, the young lady proceeded to share her story of how Geno saved her life.”
Hers was a story of sadness that ended with the hope and help of Geno. The young lady had lost her mother a year before and had found hard times at every turn leading up to that point.
“At that time, she was in a really bad place and didn’t see a lot of reasons to keep living,” said Vic. “She had come to the fair with her boyfriend, a night watchman on the fairgrounds. She had been spending the night with him there at the fairgrounds, watching over livestock and the overnight happenings. As she wandered around the fairgrounds contemplating her future and the problems that faced her, she stumbled upon Geno. She timidly approached his box stall and Geno promptly came up to her.”
What happened next was an act of kindness on Geno’s part that the young lady says ultimately saved her life.
Geno was friendly, and so the young lady petted and petted Geno, and ended up spending the whole night telling Geno her problems and confiding in him. Geno never once left her side the entire night, but was there, as a companion and comfort. That time spent in companionship with Geno gave the young lady the strength and fortitude to continue on with life.
“This young lady found the warmth of an unexpected but needed friend and was given the gift of love at a crucial time in her life when she needed it most,” says Vic. “She attributes her night with Geno as the reason she is here today!”
Showing horses is a fun and rewarding activity for Vic, but, ultimately, what matters most is the impact his horses have had on people, he says.
“What happened that fall evening between that troubled young lady and Geno will last forever in our memory and forever in our hearts,” he said. “One doesn’t realize the impact we or the horses might be having on someone.”