Equine Hollywood Endings

Everyone talked about Barbaro when he was euthanized in January of 2007.   (Yes, it was two years ago this month although it seems like only yesterday.)   However only two months ago in October/November of 2008, we lost two more celebrity horses.

Hightower, (1982-2008) star of The Horse Whisperer passed away October 29, 2008.   This 26 year old died in his pasture of natural causes.   Hightower was a sorrel American Quarter horse who was bought as a ranch horse by the renowned trick trainer Rex Peterson.  Hightower made his film debut at 6yrs of age in the 1988 movie, Winter People.

You may not have known, but he played the part of a mare in Black Beauty (1994). During one scene, Hightower played the mare Ginger.  His trademark star was extended with makeup to show as a blaze for this role. Julia Roberts can be seen in the beginning of Runaway Bride galloping away from her wedding mounted on him and then he was FedExed back to New York and trailered the rest of the way to Maryland to film the closing scenes with Julia Roberts.  Other film credits include  Jill Ireland Story,  Kilrone,  Simpatico,  Elizabeth Taylor Story,  Blue Dog,  Black Stallion Adventure,  Princess Diaries II,  Amanda,  Last Best Place  and Buddy.

Anyone who wishes to share their memories and photographs of Hightower should send them to Rex Peterson ([email protected]) to be included in a book, “Hightower, One in a Million.”

Beechnut was Billy Crystal's mount in City Slickers (1991) and City Slickers 2 (1994).   Although there was no white blaze on the horse Billy Crystal rode in City Slickers 2, this was Beechnut.   His white blaze was dyed black to make it appear that Crystal was riding a different horse.

Beechnut was purchased by Billy Crystal after their first film and was rode on stage by Billy Crystal during the 1991 Academy Awards.  Beechnut was humanely euthanized on November 16, 2008.  He had an incurable infection invade his liver.  He was 28 years old.