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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

RIP Stage Stop Midnight Hour - A True Champion

I just received news that one of our former llamas, Stage Stop Midnight Hour, lost his battle today with cancer. We sold Midnight Hour about a year and a half ago to some very wonderful new llama owners who fell in love with Midnight. It was a really tough decision to sell him but we had retained several of his daughters and one of his sons so we felt like we could let him go to a good home since we still had those bloodlines in our herd.

We purchased Midnight Hour from Stage Stop Llamas when he was only a couple of weeks old in July 1997. We had decided we didn't "need" any more male llamas (we already had two) but Jim fell in love with Midnight Hour and we made the decision to purchase him. We have never regretted our decision. He was an amazing animal.

During his show ring career, Midnight did very well:

  • ALSA Recognition of Merit at Halter
  • 2000 & 1999 Grand National Top Ten Finish
  • Grand Champion 1999 NWSS & 
  • Grand Champion 1999 LOCC Spring Show
  • Reserve Grand Champion 2000 NWSS
  • 1st place 2000 LOCC Spring Show
  • 1st place 2000 Laramie County Fair
  • 1st place 2000 LOCC Fall Show

We made the decision to retire Midnight Hour from the show ring after the 2000 show season and he sired some beautiful crias for us and other llama owners. He only sired a couple of males and we own the only intact male from Midnight Hour, Kemui Yama. Kemui is following in his sire's footsteps in the show ring.




Rest In Peace Midnight Hour - you will be missed.

14 comments:

Lin said...

Oh, that is very sad to hear that he passed. :( See ya at the Rainbow Bridge Midnight Hour.

brokenteepee said...

Oh I'm sorry for you and his current owners. I hope he's sitting somewhere now, at peace looking all superior like llamas are wont to do.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

He was quite an impressive looking guy! My human has always had a fondness for llamas, and we are sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so sad. It's always really hard to hear of the death of an animal that you loved, even if he's no longer with you. RIP!!

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear the news. He's at peace now with no more suffering.
Cancer took our beloved Scottie, Dakota last month so we know how you feel.

Split Rock Ranch said...

Lin: Thank you. I am going to have one heck of a group waiting for me at The Rainbow Bridge!
Pricilla: Thank you. The new owners told me he held his head up high to the very end, even when he couldn't stand on his own. What a trooper.
Sparkle: He was a very impressive guy. He was so conformationally correct he was a breeze to show; he would set himself up out in the pasture, posing in such a regal manner. He never ceased to amaze me at how gorgeous he was. I never tired of looking out and seeing him standing there.
Nancy: Thank you. He will always be with us in spirit.
Trusk4u: You're right. At least he is no longer suffering. So sorry to hear about your Dakota. Perhaps Dakota and Midnight are frolicking together right now.

Ann said...

such sad news, so sorry. He was an impressive one

Pink said...

What a lovely beast! I'm sure his offspring will make him proud...

Split Rock Ranch said...

Ann: Thank you. He was impressive from the second his little feet hit the ground and until the moment his proud and brave heart stopped beating.
Pink: Thank you. His offspring have already made us so proud. His son took first place in his class, Grand Champion in his Division and Reserve Best in Show at his first show last year!

DayPhoto said...

Boy, old dear! I'm so glad you were able to have him for some time.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

I am sorry for your loss. Midnight was truly very special.
Hugs,
Anna

Split Rock Ranch said...

Linda: We are grateful, too.
Anna: Thank you!

Claire MW said...

Catching up on your blog and so sad to read about this. He was a handsome llama and fathered many beautiful crias. His legacy will live on in the minds of those who knew him, and in your wonderful pictures.

Split Rock Ranch said...

Claire: Thank you. Hope you're doing well. I pop over to your blog now and then to keep up with what's going on with you and your critters. Lucky Nickel in the gym shorts made my day!!