"Phar Lap" written by Angie Snell

[Angie]

Phar Lap

The mighty chestnut launches forward
One, two three, four strides in front
The crowds roar urges him on
His stride lengthens
And the Melbourne cup is won

Over 17 hands of champion mount
A favourite on any race day
Big Reds strength and power
Caused many to cower
Trainer’s hearts they all filled with dismay

Cheaply priced and very plain looking
With tough attitude as well
No one wanted him
Till he began to win
And his story they started to tell

This horse was so fast and big hearted
He soon found himself in strife
Faced by some crims
That tried to shoot him
Lucky he walked away with his life

Spring carnival history he holds
As the only horse to ever boast
On each race day
Commentator did say
And it’s Phar Lap that’s first past the post

Thirty seven times this powerful gelding
Managed to run for a win
From fifty one starts
He showed all his heart
And lit many a face with a grin

With international fame calling
And challenges from overseas
They loaded Big Red
Others started to dread
The endurance and grace of this steed

Blasting strong and forward from last place
Moving swiftly with power and grace
By two strides he broke
Made the record a joke
And he proved himself in his last race

On April fifth 1932
At just five years of age
The ultimate cost
This horse was lost
After running just once on world stage

There’s a hole left by this gallant steed
And no horse could fill the gap
A champion, a hero
Indeed we all know
The legend that is our Phar Lap


Written by Angie Snell ©
 2009

[Bernard de Silva]

Goodonya, Me, Angie Snell...
                                But give me, Manikato.
                                                Cheers Mate,
                                                        Bernie...
Good idea to form the habit of placing that encircled "C" 
and Copyright: Angie Snell. on your work...Would be an
yet another good idea to post with the other bush poets
in the main members poetry so your work is more readily
seen...The "Girls" will look after, defend, and assist at
the drop of the proverbial hat...the blokes' bark is likely
worse than their bite and we all enjoy good company...
and a good tale well told...

[zondrae]

G'day Abgie,

I'm confused. You write with wisdom and feeling. While I am not a 'horse' person, I can see you are dedicated to them. Please give us some history of yourself eg city or the bush? generation, other background. Anything you think we should know about you. Are you related to Andy who is webmaster on the ABPA site?  Gee I'm a sticky beak aren't I.

[Angie]

Hey thanks for the comments first off I have no idea how to put the circled c on my work! help please! I am totally new to this writting thing! I have written all of 4 poems! I have however always loved bush poetry I remeber reading "The Man From Snowy River" and "Clancy Of The Over Flow" as well as "My Country" at school when I was quiet young. I grew up on the Sunshine coast bout half way between Noosa and Gympie. We lived in town but made regular trips to mums family farm. I always loved horses something I got from my grandfather and also his love of the land. I was always given pony rides during the holidays on the farm and started riding when I was 10. I did lessons and pony club. When I was 13 I was helping muster cattle in the christmas holidays when I had a fall from my horse resulting in permanate spinal chord damage and a funny walk. I started riding again with RDA and finally got my first horse at age 15 a wonderful old horse called Guyra Ghost. When I was 16 I left home and headed to Dalby Ag College where I completed a certificate 3 in agricultureand fell in love with the downs. I met a man and moved firstly to Barraba north of Tamworth to a sheep and cattle property and then to Coonamble NSW with him. He didnt work out but not matter where I have traveled in this country I love her beauty and her grace just like in "My Country". I have done a little bit of everything droving, mustering, lamb marking and rouseabouting. I am currently living in Mt Mort where my mothers family originate from but am keen to move somewhere new and get too now another part of this wonderful land. Oh I am 24 and as far as I now I'm not related to Andy! Also keep an eye out for my sisters work I'm trying to get her to put her work up as hers is 100 times better then mine and shes only 16!

[zondrae]

Thanks Angie,

It makes it a little easier to comment if we know something about you. This forum also gives you the ability to private message(pm) someone if you wish to ask something. For a beginner, your doing absolutely great. But then  again all the best writers have it born in them.  Well that's what I believe anyway.

Thank you so much for sharing your poems we love to see what other writers are doing. Please extend our invitation to your sister. There are also competitions that you and your sister may like to enter. Let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

[Angie]

Hi, Thanks! Um I know my sister would love to enter her best poem in a comp but shes a bit shy about it because its about her bosses dad who is a bit of a legend in the stud brahman world and horse world in QLD and she doesnt want them to read it not sure why teenage insercurities I guess. But if you have some suggestions as to where she can enter it I think we can get her too!