It is always with great sadness that we mourn the loss of life whether human or equine, but it hits extra hard when it is one of our own. HorsesDaily’s Mary Phelps lost a part of her team, as well as a part of her heart, when she lost beautiful Kimba. Kimba was the sole mare of Mary’s fabulous four-in-hand team know as the Gangsters.

Kimba came to Mary via the Kentucky Horse Park whho rescued her from the Kentucky Equine Rescue where she was donated. With Mary she became a brilliant driving pony in both the pairs and four-in-hand competitions. The highlight (one of many) of Kimba’s career, undoubtedly, was when Kimba and Al Capony represented the USA and became the World Champion Pony Pair for the Cones at the FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies 2019.

Kimba was a beloved part of Mary Phelps team and was such a spicy mare that was so much fun to tackle anything from the marathon to the cones, She was a gorgeous little mare, a ton of fun and I will always remember her as “A party in a harness”.

Mary shared this via Facebook on September 8, 2023 –

“My beautiful courageous feisty brilliant fabulous Kimba has left this earth. I am so sorry I could not be with you and so grateful that Sharon was.

This spring she was hit with EPM then laminitis. We did all we could to help her. She had the best veterinary care In the world, and we spared no expense or time in doing all we could for her. She fought hard to be with us.

She was getting better and better, and just like that, tonight she coliced and was gone so fast.
I am so grateful to have Sharon who has lived at home and cared for the animals we have left behind. Thank you for being with her at the end and doing all you could.

We will be home Tuesday and while spared the pain of being there, I am so sorry I wasn’t.

I know so many loved her and she was the favorite of my team. The smallest pony in the World Championships in Kisbér 2019, and with Al Capoy won the gold medal in cones.

Rest in peace princess, and now you can eat all the grass you want in heaven.

Thank you Sharon Byrne for being the only person we know and trust to care for our home and animals so we can do all the things we do.

You worked so hard and went above and beyond, I am so sorry you had to do this but grateful you were with her.”

Rest in peace little mare.