I'm hosting a fundraiser for my friend, Marlo Matheny, who lost her beautiful horse, Taylor Island AKA Gabriel, last night. A sudden onset of heart failure whisked him away the night of May 12th. To know Marlo is to know that she gives her all to her herd, and Gabe's sudden loss at such a young age is devastating. She felt that giving him the best chance at making it involved great care from great veterinarians, but the battle was lost. His heart couldn't hold out.

"Gabriel became the angel he truly was last night while in my arms at 9:50 PM..... the call to his winning race was played in his stall after, it was his only win on the track, but he won the biggest race of all when the two of us fell together later in his life. I’m at a loss for words and my entire world is gone. Gabriel, know this.... I was a shell of a person until you brought all of the joy back into my life. You brought me back to things I never could’ve imagined. You are the bright spot in my life, and I cannot imagine life feeling good again without you. I love you endlessly my angel of 'be of good cheer.' Gabriel.... translated, God is our strength.... I am forever so proud and blessed that you were allowed to be mine, to spoil, love, buy all the new things for, bathe with special shampoos and liniments because your skin was so sensitive, pamper, play with and buy stall toys for. You are worth it, and deserved it.... all of it. I can’t wait to see you again ❤️"

Taylor Island

"Gabriel"

March 11th, 2009 - May 12th, 2025

#TaylorIsland