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North Fork
One of the best: Carlingford's Ben Roscoe
By Beth Lucas
North Fork has been blessed with the presence of fine and loving horses, but we have just lost one of the best.
Sharon Blank's tall gray eventing gelding, affectionately known as Ben, died recently as a result of complications from colic. The big guy was 14 years old, 16.1 hands tall and a native of Ireland. The neighborhood kids called him "the big white horse."
"He was so much more a pet than a competition horse," Sharon told us last week. "He loved to go around visiting the people in the neighborhood, or just walk down to the mailbox."
About eight years ago, Sharon traveled to Ireland to audition eventing horses, riding many and choosing one. "But it was Bill who bought Ben as a resale project," she mused. "I had no say."
Both were brought over on airplanes, and Sharon said Ben's tag said "no name." After a while it became evident that the horse she bought would be sold and Ben, who was never expected to become the great steed he became, would spend the remainder of his life with Sharon.
Ben's full name was Carlingford's Ben Roscoe and that was the name he went by in his many wins in eventing across the region. In 2002, he was novice horse champion with the second highest novice points in the whole nation.
He then went up to training level, winning all the way, and had been in preliminary level in the past two years. In preliminary he was jumping 3 feet, 7 inches regularly. He was shown at Aiken, S.C., and at most of the big shows in Virginia and Maryland.
"He was stoic to the end," Sharon said. "The day before he got sick on the 29th, I had the best jumping school ever on him."
Just a month ago he amazed the children of Beginner Woof and Hoof Camp with his dressage abilities, delighting them with his silly smiles during his bath. He was very missed by the Advanced Woof and Hoof campers last week.
Ben's stall is now empty and the Blanks are grieving. But Sharon said the love that has been poured out on them by all their local neighbors and other friends is helping them through the process.
Pastor Thompson: Recently, North Fork Baptist Church's pastor, the Rev. Parker Thompson, celebrated his 80th birthday with a church event. Many of his family members joined the congregation for a post-service birthday party. Pastor Parker, a former military chaplain who served in several wars, has been leading the church for many years.
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