Post by lisah on Nov 23, 2010 11:18:48 GMT 1
Oh god ¡V where do I start and what do I say about this wonderful, unique and special man?
Many of you will know the history Peter and I have and that we always remained the closest of friends. He helped me through 2 very painful events in my life this year, and my god I wish he was here now as he can¡'t help with this one.
I want to just talk about him and why he was so loved by everyone. Where do I start???
Peter was not just a race horse trainer - he was a true horseman and a horse lover. All his horses got the very best of everything he and his team could give them. He had this special skill for taking jaded and injured horses and helping them find their form again, and the ones that did not, he worked so hard convincing their owners to re-home them into a secure future where they would be loved and pampered.
Many of you on here have a Peter Monteith horse - they were always so special, now even more so because through them he will live on.
I remember so many things I could not possibly put them all down on here, but I will try.
Peter was never flash, he did not drive flashy cars etc but his pride and joy was his big Scannie horsebox, he wanted the horses to travel in the best comfort he could provide for them. He loved that lorry. I bought him a private plate a few years back 'PFP 1' those of you who know him will know why that one. He was so disappointed when he discovered he could not use it on a HGV.
He used to collect all the waifs and strays - puppies dumped in his yard because people knew he would keep them - stray cats would wonder in and stay. I remember he would get up in the early hours to throw food into the back lawn so he could watch the fox and her cubs come out to play. I remember him hand feeding baby robins in the stables because the cat had killed their mum. He was just so special and gentle.
When horses were in on box rest he would go off on the quad cutting off twigs of some tree they liked, so they could pick away at the leaves and have something to do. He would be gone for ages and come back with a stack so high I wondered how he could see where he was going.
Horses coming back from the races always had extra carrots and a packet of polo's in their tea, you never saw an unhappy horse at Whitebog. A few may have arrived that way but before very long they would have found their personalities again and you could tell how much they all loved Peter by the way they would stick heads over doors, whicker at him and search him thoroughly for some hidden treat.
He knew them all inside out and it was so easy to re-home for him because he knew every little detail so we could be 110% honest about the horses and ensure they were paired off with the right owner - all of you that have one of his horses will know this.
He would take time to discuss them with their new owners, he would even go out for a hack with people trying the horses whenever he could.
Peter was so full of laughter, love and life. We had so many wonderful times and even though sometimes he could drive you to distraction you could never stay mad at him for very long. Ever the practical joker you would dread April Fool's day - he would move horses around, leave a stable door open and come running in at stupid o'clock shouting ''a horse is out'' and every bl00dy year you would fall for it, running round the yard in slippers trying to find the missing horse, which would be in the small back paddock laughing away that yet again 'dad' had caught you out.
One year he faked up a speeding ticket and posted it to me - I was horrified, phoned the police and everything. They could not find it on the system and it suddenly dawned on me what had happened. I called him every name under the sun but all I could hear was his laughter on the other end of the phone and now I would give anything for more practical jokes and the opportunity to hear his laugh again.
He loved fixing things always tinkering away on his tractor or electrical appliances in the house. One day just before xmas he fixed the aga as it was not getting very hot. We were all so disappointed to open it up ready for xmas dinner day to find a large pile of ashes which was our turkey and roast tatties !! Not to be put off Peter carved up the rib roast for boxing day and we had pan fried rib roast steaks - it was lovely.
He was the life and soul of any party - he could dance the socks off anyone and still have the energy to make his wonderful brandy coffees when we got home, and then take the dogs for a run on the quad bike. His punch was famous, one glass and you were happy, 2 glasses and you were VERY happy, 3 glasses and you were anyone's :-)
Over the past 16 years Peter was a huge part of my life - he was my best friend right to the end. We had great times, we had not so great times but he was always there for me and whilst it breaks my heart that he has gone, I respect his decision and I will miss him so much. So will his brothers, his sister in law, his staff, his animals and most of all his horses - he lived for the horses, he really did.
Peter, my best friend, you will always be loved, never be forgotten. I have so many memories to treasure, you gave so much of yourself to everyone and we will all treasure you forever.
Thank you for wonderful times, thank you for being my dearest friend.
Now rest well, you deserve it.
L xxx
Many of you will know the history Peter and I have and that we always remained the closest of friends. He helped me through 2 very painful events in my life this year, and my god I wish he was here now as he can¡'t help with this one.
I want to just talk about him and why he was so loved by everyone. Where do I start???
Peter was not just a race horse trainer - he was a true horseman and a horse lover. All his horses got the very best of everything he and his team could give them. He had this special skill for taking jaded and injured horses and helping them find their form again, and the ones that did not, he worked so hard convincing their owners to re-home them into a secure future where they would be loved and pampered.
Many of you on here have a Peter Monteith horse - they were always so special, now even more so because through them he will live on.
I remember so many things I could not possibly put them all down on here, but I will try.
Peter was never flash, he did not drive flashy cars etc but his pride and joy was his big Scannie horsebox, he wanted the horses to travel in the best comfort he could provide for them. He loved that lorry. I bought him a private plate a few years back 'PFP 1' those of you who know him will know why that one. He was so disappointed when he discovered he could not use it on a HGV.
He used to collect all the waifs and strays - puppies dumped in his yard because people knew he would keep them - stray cats would wonder in and stay. I remember he would get up in the early hours to throw food into the back lawn so he could watch the fox and her cubs come out to play. I remember him hand feeding baby robins in the stables because the cat had killed their mum. He was just so special and gentle.
When horses were in on box rest he would go off on the quad cutting off twigs of some tree they liked, so they could pick away at the leaves and have something to do. He would be gone for ages and come back with a stack so high I wondered how he could see where he was going.
Horses coming back from the races always had extra carrots and a packet of polo's in their tea, you never saw an unhappy horse at Whitebog. A few may have arrived that way but before very long they would have found their personalities again and you could tell how much they all loved Peter by the way they would stick heads over doors, whicker at him and search him thoroughly for some hidden treat.
He knew them all inside out and it was so easy to re-home for him because he knew every little detail so we could be 110% honest about the horses and ensure they were paired off with the right owner - all of you that have one of his horses will know this.
He would take time to discuss them with their new owners, he would even go out for a hack with people trying the horses whenever he could.
Peter was so full of laughter, love and life. We had so many wonderful times and even though sometimes he could drive you to distraction you could never stay mad at him for very long. Ever the practical joker you would dread April Fool's day - he would move horses around, leave a stable door open and come running in at stupid o'clock shouting ''a horse is out'' and every bl00dy year you would fall for it, running round the yard in slippers trying to find the missing horse, which would be in the small back paddock laughing away that yet again 'dad' had caught you out.
One year he faked up a speeding ticket and posted it to me - I was horrified, phoned the police and everything. They could not find it on the system and it suddenly dawned on me what had happened. I called him every name under the sun but all I could hear was his laughter on the other end of the phone and now I would give anything for more practical jokes and the opportunity to hear his laugh again.
He loved fixing things always tinkering away on his tractor or electrical appliances in the house. One day just before xmas he fixed the aga as it was not getting very hot. We were all so disappointed to open it up ready for xmas dinner day to find a large pile of ashes which was our turkey and roast tatties !! Not to be put off Peter carved up the rib roast for boxing day and we had pan fried rib roast steaks - it was lovely.
He was the life and soul of any party - he could dance the socks off anyone and still have the energy to make his wonderful brandy coffees when we got home, and then take the dogs for a run on the quad bike. His punch was famous, one glass and you were happy, 2 glasses and you were VERY happy, 3 glasses and you were anyone's :-)
Over the past 16 years Peter was a huge part of my life - he was my best friend right to the end. We had great times, we had not so great times but he was always there for me and whilst it breaks my heart that he has gone, I respect his decision and I will miss him so much. So will his brothers, his sister in law, his staff, his animals and most of all his horses - he lived for the horses, he really did.
Peter, my best friend, you will always be loved, never be forgotten. I have so many memories to treasure, you gave so much of yourself to everyone and we will all treasure you forever.
Thank you for wonderful times, thank you for being my dearest friend.
Now rest well, you deserve it.
L xxx