Where’s Charles? Have you seen Charles?

Those were the questions our long-time volunteers would ask each other.

Who is Charles, you might ask?

Charles was one of the oldest horses on the river—30 years old.

Do you remember what we’ve mentioned before—that some stallions make better lieutenants than lead stallions? Well, we’re not even sure that role fit our boy, Charles.

Charles may have been born a crotchety old man—the kind who yells at everyone for being in his space, for breathing too hard, for walking on his grass…you get the idea.

Charles was a drifter. He had a way of wearing out his welcome with lead stallions—not because he was challenging them for breeding rights, nope—Charles was just bossy. He liked things done his way.

He served as a lieutenant in Champ’s band for a while, until Champ had had enough and (not too politely) banished Charles from the group. So, our boy Charles journeyed on.

As he got older, Charles preferred to keep a low profile.

A couple of young bachelors would seek him out for guidance, then move on. And it was during these years that the Where’s Charles? game began.

One day, a volunteer would post a sighting of Charles at Water Users. Another day, someone would share a blurry Charles butt shot from Sheep’s Crossing. It became a daily game among our volunteers.

Until one day, the game stopped.

Our last official sighting of Charles was in July 2016. All great warriors know their end game.

Seeing Charles on any given day, was always an honor and privilege.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you:

“The Man, The Myth, The Legend – Charles.”

And this is: “As the River Flows.”

Photos by Luanne Hedblom Destini Rhone