We are heartbroken to report that beloved gelding and Congress Champion, RL A Sudden Image (Larry) passed away due to complications associated with laminitis. He was 12 years-old. The chestnut gelding was by A Sudden Impulse and out of Miss Good Asset and bred by the Roberts Development Corporation. Larry was last owned by the Nowacki Family of Hollywood, Florida.
RL A Sudden Image amassed nearly 1000 points in eight different events, with superiors in the trail and western pleasure. He was a multiple Congress, NSBA World, Regional Experience Champion, and AQHA World Show finalist.“Larry was a great horse, and I was thankful to be an instrument in his development. Great horses make great trainers, and not every great horseman can see the greatness in every horse,” former trainer Mark Stevens states. “I was lucky enough to see past his lack of confidence. Almost every trainer I knew that was involved with Larry, loved him as did I.”
“It was obvious from our first encounter that Larry was special,” says Connolly, who mentions that Larry was always mischievous and would stand in the wash stall on cross ties and make a loud sucking noise with his lips as people passed by. “He had that look, horsemen know, in his eye that tells the story of a horse with class. Everyone loved Larry, he was such a character.”
Connolly continues, “I never imagined that fate would take such a terrible turn and that our time would be cut short. For reasons beyond anyone’s control, we lost Larry yesterday. For his connections who went so above and beyond to ensure he had the very best of everything, I am heartbroken. For myself and the people that cared for him every day, there is an empty void. I will meet him again one day at the rainbow bridge and I can see him running and playing in the green grass without a care in the world. It was a joy and honor to have cared for him, and he will always have a special place in my heart.”
