The following was written by Volunteer Suzanne for the program of the 2nd annual Geriatric Horse Jubilee that was dedicated to Ranger.

Ranger was a curmudgeon.
Occasionally, during grooming sessions with Ann, I would catch a surreptitious glint of pleasure in his eye, or a slight stretching of a happy upper lip. But if I caught him at it, he would revert to his usual expression of stoic aggravation. He did not enjoy petting or fussing or warm fuzzies.

I remember going out to his field with Becca Jones to catch him and bring him in for an extra feed. He took one look at us with our halter and lead rope and treat, harrumphed indignantly, and made off in the opposite direction in a canter so stiff that he seemed to be on stilts. His old knees and hocks didn't bend an inch, but that didn't stop him from showing us exactly what he thought of our solicitude. Becca and I didn't know whether to laugh at his crusty independence or cry at how painful it looked. We didn't even know he could still canter!

He came to the Corcoran's farm from Valley Forge Military Academy, where he was living in honorable retirement after serving for years. Although he had a good life there, they felt that he needed and deserved more pampering and individual attention than he was able to receive at a busy teaching academy. The challenges and joys of addressing the needs of the old soldier were what prompted Ann Corcoran to start The Ranger Foundation.

We have taken on more personable, cheerful and sweet-natured service horses than Ranger since our inception, but never any more gratifying or interesting. I will never forget the quizzical suspicious way he would crane his head around to peer at an approaching human, deliberating the relative merits of submitting to the intrusive but occasionally pleasant ministrations of people or basking in his comfortable solitude.

His physical condition deteriorated shortly before last year's Jubilee, prompting us to cancel his appearance in the the Over-Thirties Parade and let him spend the day in his beloved peace. He died quietly in the night the Sunday after the show. His last gift to us was to hang on until our first big fundraiser was accomplished.

This year's (2003) Jubilee is dedicated to him, with love and respectful remembrance of his unique and inspiring spirit.