By Chrystal Abernathy

It isn’t often that a horse makes such an impact on so many lives that he touches but Prime Poison was a once-in-a-lifetime pony for many. Shown 87 times, Prime Poison won 47 blues including four World Grand Championships, six World Championships, three Reserve World Grand Championships, and four Reserve World Championships. This was one amazing pony!

Owned and loved at the time of death by owners Bruce and Robin MacDonald, Prime Poison, by Poison and out of Prime Fable by Magic Fashion K W, passed away earlier this week at the age of 19 at Joe Fleming Stables. In addition to the MacDonald family, there are many families whose lives were impacted by this little pony starting with Brenda Carlon. 

Three couples joined together to purchase the young two-year-old stallion while under the direction of trainer Herbert Derickson — Dr. & Mrs. Harv Carlon, Ron Kidd and Dr. & Mrs. Marie Brundige. It wouldn’t take long before Brenda fell head over heels with this fireball.  

The Carlon’s later bought the other partners out and Brenda made her first appearance in 2003 in the Three-Year-Old Amateur class. Brenda admits their first couple shows together were not entirely smooth but it wouldn’t take long before the two would become a perfect team inside the ring.

 At the 2005 Celebration they hit their peak of perfection winning their first World Championship title in the O/A Pony Stallions, Section A, under the direction of the Callaway Stables. In 2006 Carlon broke both of her wrists and the team was unable to compete at the Celebration. They would, however, return in 2007 and capture the World Championship as well as the World Grand Championship title, ending their career together with a spotlight ride no one will forget. 

“He was without a doubt my horse of a lifetime,” Carlon said.  

In the fall of 2007 another family had become a fan of Prime Poison. His gorgeous good looks along with amazing talent in the ring caught the eye of many but it was the Andrew Waites family who purchased the black stallion for their daughter Lilly to ride. With this new owner also came a new trainer and the Joe Fleming Stables had the privilege of working with this talented animal. 

In 2008 and 2009 the team had an undefeated season with wins all over including the Spring Fun Show, Alabama Jubilee, the Southern Championship, the Mississippi Charity just to name a few. 2010 would be the highlight for this team winning the Youth Pony World Championship as well as the World Grand Championship. Waites and Prime Poison went on to win the 2012 World Grand Championship Adult Pony class as well. 

Following the 2012 Celebration Bruce and Robin MacDonald purchased Prime Poison. Like Brenda and Lilly, Robin also fell in immediately love with the gorgeous stallion with so much heart and personality. MacDonald went on to capture wins with Prime Poison at the MTSU Walking For Education, The Gulf Coast Charity, Money Tree Classic and the NC Championship. The duo also took home a Reserve World Championship title in the O/A Pony Stallions class at the 2013 Celebration.

In 2014 another change of riders came for Prime Poison when a young blonde rider would take charge and capture the hearts of many. This would be the youngest rider yet for the stallion who was so kind and gentle. 

The MacDonald’s shared Prime Poison with Addie Harris. This combination proved to be a huge success. Harris would go on to win the 2014 World Championship and World Grand Championship Youth Pony class. 
In 2015 they earned the titles of Reserve World Champion and Reserve World Grand Championship Youth Pony and in 2016, World Champion and Reserve World Grand Champion Youth Pony.

Finally, in 2017 Prime Poison would make his last Celebration appearance and claimed another World Championship title in the O/A Youth 6-14 Ponies. The Fleming and Harris family expressed their thoughts on Prime Poison, reflecting the same sadness of all his other previous owners.

“We are heart broken by his passing,” they said. “The joy and excitement he gave all of us will never be forgotten.”

Indeed, Prime Poison created a legacy for the masses and made an unusual connection for the lucky families he touched deeply. His impact and memory will be a part of all in this special group forever.