At 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 4, Metchosinite Gary Kangas awoke with a start. It was an unusual occurrence for the typically deep-sleeping 78 year old, and he immediately knew what this sudden awakening meant.

Erik had passed.

B次元官网网址淗e just went. I knew it.B次元官网网址�

The next morning, Kangas went to the corral and confirmed what heB次元官网网址檇 already believed to be true.

The 32-year-old pony that had become a quasi-Metchosin celebrity lay on his side, eyes shut with what Kangas called a smile on his face.

It was a fitting and peaceful end for a gentle, well-trained horse that loved to run and seemed to take pleasure in having the spotlight shone on him during regular B次元官网网址淲ild West-styleB次元官网网址� performances at rodeos around the province.

Kangas purchased Erik and his uncle, Ron, in the fall of 1984 from the former Silver Spring Ranch in East Sooke. While both turned out to be great horses, Erik was particularly easy to train.

B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e breaking and training horses, thereB次元官网网址檚 a bunch of steps in doing it. Erik, it was like he was one of those critters who B次元官网网址榞ets itB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� nothing was difficult for him,B次元官网网址� he recalled, smiling.

One of the first lessons in Being a Horse 101 is learning how to be tied up. Typically a horse will start by fighting against the tie, before settling in and getting comfortable with their new reality.

B次元官网网址淓rik never even fought the tie. He untied it,B次元官网网址� Kangas said, laughing.

Despite getting loose, Erik didnB次元官网网址檛 bolt and calmly wandered around until Kangas brought him back and tied a tougher knot. B次元官网网址淗e was a natural.B次元官网网址�

The Norwegian Fjord pony, who was just a shade under the required height to be classified as a horse, was also used to train many how to ride because of his calm and forgiving attitude. B次元官网网址淚f people made a mistake, he didnB次元官网网址檛 get anxious about it. He didnB次元官网网址檛 cause them any grief. HeB次元官网网址檇 kind of gently walk them through it until they got it right,B次元官网网址� Kangas explained.

ErikB次元官网网址檚 gentle demeanor and abilities to learn new skills were perhaps only matched by his sense of adventure. That allowed Kangas to comfortably take him on trips around the Metchosin wilderness, into the heart of the village and as far as View Royal, where KangasB次元官网网址檚 mother used to live.

B次元官网网址淚f I was at a stop light (people) would get out of their cars. That used to be pretty funny.

B次元官网网址淔or a couple of years, I didnB次元官网网址檛 own a car after I retired and I rode everywhere. I rode to the village for lunch, I rode into West Shore to do my banking. Wherever I needed to go, thatB次元官网网址檚 where IB次元官网网址檇 go,B次元官网网址� he said.

And ErikB次元官网网址檚 regular outings made him a common sight on Metchosin roads.

B次元官网网址淚 would sometimes see him tied up next to the My Chosen Cafe. It used to bring back happy memories of my time with horses,B次元官网网址� said Allison Marshall. B次元官网网址淎 lot of people really enjoyed him.B次元官网网址�

The lasting impression Erik made on many in the community is also evident by the number of sympathy cards Kangas and his wife, Sybil, have received since their ponyB次元官网网址檚 death.

B次元官网网址淗e was so engaging. People just loved him,B次元官网网址� Kangas said.

Erik may have been small in stature, but few horses have stood quite so tall.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com