Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies

In the heart of Washington State, towering above the Columbia River, there's a herd of horses. Echoes of the past, this herd will not perish. Sixteen horses are cut from inch thick tempered steel, a steel that "lives" for thousands of years. The material rusts and merges with the wild landscape.



Created by artist David Govedare of Chewelah, WA, the ponies were positioned above the river in 1989 to celebrate Washington's centennial. Titled "Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies" the scene symbolically re-creates the Great Spirit giving horses to the earth. Believe me, they are awesome to behold.



Sadly the tribute is 20 years old and still not complete. At the left side of the herd there should stand a magnificent Indian basket, like a cornucopia. It's from the basket the ponies should tumble, bringing all the good horses can bring to the earth and it's people.



Someday that lucky lottery ticket will come through for me. I'll mail a chunk of change to Dave Govedare and ask him if he could please finish the basket. It's the least I can do to thank the Great Spirit for his gift...his gift of the horse.