She spent a lot of hours with the ‘old man’
while Arnold worked.
She would sit in his stall, scratching him
behind the ears while he laid his head in her
lap. “Honestly, he was like a big gentle affec-
tionate dog,” she laughed. “I never saw him
act like what we think of a typical stud. He
stayed on the ranch until the day he died and
everyone made sure he never suffered.”
Poco Bueno, born on April 10, 1944, died
November 28, 1969. He was buried in a
standing position in a grave across from the
ranch entrance. A granite marker, weighing
Member FDIC
Margaret Kontogeorge continues to teach
horseback riding classes.
4 tons, was engraved with his name, picture and
the following: Champion and Sire of Champi-
ons.
To commensurate what the friendship meant
to her, Margaret even wrote a poem that has
meant a lot to so many different people.
“This poem demonstrates how much this
horse meant to me and so many others,” said
Kontogeorge.
Her farmhouse, refinished when they moved
back to the Hanceville area in 1980s, is filled
with pictures of her training and riding horses as
well as the awards she has won.
The big Bay Colt began to run,
With the wind in his face and
His back to the sun.
His mane flying free and his coat like gold,
He was a new born legend
Forever to be told.
Poco Bueno was a horse with as much
heart and pride---
As a big proud stallion
Could have inside.
He grew from a colt to a horse of glory
And many a cowboy
Will tell his story.
A story of willingness and giving his best,
To become the ridin’ness horse
In all the the west.
His life is a legend.
His past is well known .
His blood’s in the veins
From his seed well sown.
By Margaret Kontogeorge
July 26, 1982
“This is what we do, this is what we love,” said
Margaret. “Honestly, I couldn’t imagine us doing
anything else.”
Hosting horse camps, serving in local rodeos
and going to horse shows all over the world are
just elements of the couple’s lives since they mar-
ried on Jan. 17, 1964.
“He is the love of my life and together we have
been able to establish a love for horses together,
as well as teaching others the techniques needed
in great horseback riding,” she said. “We have
so many wonderful memories and continue to
make them together.”
CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE
SPRING 2020 | 21