Smith: Midnight, a star of the Howarth Park pony rides, passes on

The sweet pony, who died on Thursday, delighted little ones for nearly two decades.|
CHRIS SMITH
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

One of the few bad things about ponies is that they don't live forever.

The death Thursday of a gentle, handsome creature named Midnight will break the hearts of a couple generations of fans of the pony rides at Santa Rosa's Howarth Park.

'Midnight shared a special ability to make all who knew him love him,' said Linda Aldrich, founder of The Pony Express Equine Assisted Skills for Youth. The longstanding pony course near the Summerfield Road park's snack bar and playground is a central component of the program.

And Midnight was a major attraction of the pony rides. The 30-year-old favorite carried kids at the park as recently as Monday.

Aldrich said he was 'always on the fence, awaiting an eager child's touch or treat.'

In 2011, the winsome pony received an Equus Award from the Sonoma County Horse Council for the joy he brought to children, some of whom were inspired to become equestrians.

Good boy, Midnight. And good night.

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