On September 12, 2007, my beloved stallion, Maverick was lost due to a ruptured bowel. He never made it out of surgery. My heart is broken, there are still tears in my eyes and my friend is gone forever. My heart will slowly mend, the tears will eventually stop. All the cards, emails and flowers have helped ease my sorrow.

The joy that Maverick brought me in the four short years we were together was immense. We were such a great team, like two peas in a pod. I taught him and he taught me so much more. He gave me as much love as I gave him. Maverick trusted me and I completely trusted in him. He took such good care of me, whether it was getting me to the right spot to rope a cow, or tracking a stray down a steep ravine. I called him my babysitter. We traveled together from Arkansas to California, from South Dakota to Texas and made so many friends. Always the perfect gentleman, always trying as hard as he could.

There is a pasture full of little mini-Mav’s and all the mares are bred back for 2008 foals. The babies bring so much joy each day as they all look just like Maverick, like his little shadows. I just thought that Maverick and I would grow old together. But it was not meant to be.

Billy Ward told me that I would have to look long and hard to find another stallion like Maverick. I don’t even know where to begin, but Maverick can never be replaced. Maverick was one in a million. I never went looking for Maverick. He just came into my life at just the right time. Maybe my next stallion will find me the same way.

— Sheri Balzer

See Letters & Notes from the Many Friends of Mav