From Silvernail

Many years ago, I worked at CWM when Buckles had his act there. I remember searching thru the sawdust while raking the ring searching for hairs from the elephant tails. I wanted to have good luck.So many years ago! Today I spent a lot of time going back into it. I spent the day with Inga Vinicky Smaha(Tonys' Mom) and my sister Susan, Tony Jr's ex wife. Even though divorced years ago, our families have stayed close. My brother Jon was the one who went to tell Inga and her beloved Yorkie, Tiffanie, about Tony. I told her the last time I visited Tony he lay in his hospital bed, his face terribly bruised and stitched, but when I brought out the camera, in true showman fashion, Tony "styled" for the camera. He WAS quite the showman. I had the privledge and pleasure of watching old home movies today of Tony, from the opening act at Circus World Museum in 1960 to race tracks across America. in all of them as well as etched in my memory, Tony could work a crowd. I NEVER heard him get a better responce than when Susan and Tony did a show at The Little International horse show in Madison WI. The little arena was bigger than most big tops, but not as large as Madison Square Garden (where they also had the privledge of performing). When Tony took Jr(one of the Lippazan stallions) out and he did A rear hind leg walk 100 feet forward and backwards, the noise was so much you thought the roof would've blown off as badly as their current stallion barns has collapsed from the weight of all the snow. As usual, the show closed with Pluto doing his famous capriole, but it was Tony and Jr who brought down the house(or barn) that day. Tony knew the crowd was eating that up and I doubt if Jr had ever been asked to walk that far on a rear but he loved the crowds also. I have so many happy memories of Tony.The first when I was brought out to his barn at age 8. Like I said, SO many years ago. We'd exchange corny jokes, talk about fishing, or just exchange horse stories. He'd look out from behind his sun glasses with a smile and a laugh that just made you shake your head. You had to wonder what he'd come up with next. Sometimes unpredictable, but always classic Tony. Even today as I ride my own horses, I can hear him say "Tits and Teeth" "Get your elbows in, you look like a monkey f****** a football". Then I check my posture and my seat elbows in , yep, shoulders back, yep, and are you smiling having fun??? YEP! Tony knew how to enjoy life and to enjoy the blessings of it. I am so glad we got to share deep spiritual things over the last few months of his life. He knew the Lord and thanked Him for the blessings he had during his life. He was so glad to have his Mom and that she had her "mighty mouse" to keep her company. He expressed to me, wanting to have a party, maybe for his birthday. A big cook out for all his friends and "family. Everyone in the circus was his family. We were his family. I was both a friend and his family. I feel confident I can personally on Tonys' behalf invite you to Tonys' "party", a day when we remember and honor his life and passing on May 21, 2008 at 7pm at CWM. Write down you have a date and I hope when I see you there you will come share some of your stories with me as I have shared a couple of mine here with you now. Maybe we never found too many hairs from elephant tails, but we all found a good friend when we found Tony. May God bless him and may he rest in peace.