The Legacy We Leave
Story appeared in the 2021 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY JODINE BUYDENS, Equestrian Program Director
“Edward was a friend, a teacher and a confidant.”
At QMS we have a lot of conversations about horses as teachers and what impact they can have on our students. I feel very fortunate that I began learning from horses at age seven, and haven’t stopped since then. If you were to ask me to name my greatest teachers and mentors you would hear names like Breeze, Mister, Traveler, Isabella and numerous other horse names. Oddly enough, I have learned more about what it means to be human and how to be the best version of myself from horses than I have from other people. Recently, a gentle giant named Edward taught me about legacy and the kind of impact I want to leave.
On a cool afternoon this spring, our beloved School horse Edward passed away unexpectedly. Edward had been a part of the QMS herd for over seven years, after being generously donated by the Brown family in 2014. Edward began his QMS career as a jumping horse, but as the years progressed and arthritis took hold, he transitioned to teaching our beginner riders. This shifted Edward to the role where he was the happiest—loving his young riders as they developed a love for him and the sport of riding.
As you can imagine, this sudden loss rippled through our QMS community. Edward was adored by students, staff and parents alike. However, there was a beauty that emerged from the sadness, and I was blown away by the compassion of our students. It started shortly after Edward’s death, as a young student joined me to check on some of Edwards equine friends. She asked meaningful questions about their relationship with Edward and how this loss would affect them. She wondered if I had noticed the rain that started to fall, in her words “nature’s way of crying for Edward.” Moments later another student arrived with a bunch of carrots and an armful of flowers for Edward. Students wrote breathtakingly heartfelt notes for him and families emailed pictures and videos of their best memories.
Reading through the notes and emails I was struck by the deep impression this one horse had made on so many people. Edward was a friend, a teacher and a confidant whose impact went far beyond his “job” teaching people to ride. I have been reflecting on the legacy he leaves, knowing that the true gift that Edward shared was being fully present, opening his heart to everyone who crossed his path and engaging his talents in service of others. I’m left curious about the potency of legacy. What can I leave by combining these things with my time, energy and finances in service of the things I am most passionate about?
Yet, Edward’s legacy is not isolated. QMS is celebrating its Centennial birthday and I am mindful of the legacy left by hundreds of horses that have touched the lives of QMS students and staff over the past century. It’s easy to feel alone, especially in these current times. However, once again it has been horses who remind us that the true power lies in coming together in service of a common goal. I hope you will join me in embodying some of Edward’s wisdom on legacy as we bring QMS, and especially the QMS Equestrian Program, into our next century.
