May B Doc Holiday - A Champion Always

This online memorial was created in loving memory of May B "Doc" Holiday, whose life story is told throughout his website. Please sign the guest book and let us know you came to visit.  

It's my hope to immortalize the amazing soul who made my husband the man he is today. Through unconditional love and selfless dedication, a beautiful bond was formed to be broke by no other.

We will never forget you, Doc. You will be in our heart's forever... 

"Doc" was born in West Virginia and found his soul mate just before he turned 4 in a 12 year old boy named Alan. Already a burnt out futurity horse, Doc was not everyone first pick for Alan.. but he was Alan's first and only choice...

Alan and Doc were an amazing team from boyhood through his teen years, right through adulthood. The two were inseparable. When Alan headed to Alfred State, he even took Doc with him. Alan was often offered great amounts of money for him. He would never part with his baby.

In the arena, polebending was truly their specialty. Alan trained Doc on Poles and the team was a tough one to beat.

From the early 90's through 2002, Alan and Doc won numerous awards with local clubs Maine Mavericks, North Maine Corral, Skyline Corral, and larger organizations and shows, such as NYJQHA, All American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio, AQHA Youth World Show in Oklahoma and more.

In 2002, Alan didn't want to give up running poles on Doc, so he only ran him in Skyline Corral's Open Polebending class. Doc ran so consistent that he won reserve champion for the entire year in the Open division and he won the belt buckle for Fastest Average Polebending Champion. That was Alan's last official year competing on him.

Alan & Doc

It was always comical when ever Alan brought a new girl friend around. He would never show them any sort of affection in front of Doc. He always said that Doc would turn his butt to the stall door and hide his head in the back of his stall if ever he did. He never wanted Doc to feel jealous or saddened that his love had been replaced. Because it never would be.

The time came when Doc moved a little slower for the now 6' tall, 180 pound young man and Alan's wife, Donette started showing him. The first spring that the decision had been made that Donette would begin to ride him, Doc protested immediately. Even though she was an accomplished rider herself, Doc refused to respond to her. He only wanted his dad...  Alan had tried to put college friends and girlfriends on Doc before, but the outcome was always the same. He refused to move. Alan just laughed at his boy.

Once Doc realized that it was Alan's wishes, he reluctantly accepted Donette. Doc and Donette did well together... but never as well as Alan and Doc had. When Alan and Doc ran, it was as if they were one...

Donette & Doc...

I came into Doc's life in 1997 when he was 12 years old. Alan and I were married in 1999 and Alan worked out of town most of the week, so I became Doc's primary caregiver and exerciser. Over time, Doc understood that I was now a part of his family and was happy to receive my love and, of course, all the apples and carrots that came with me.

My wedding gift for Alan was portraits of his "soul mates". I never minded sharing Alan with Doc, only a horse lover could understand the bond and appreciate its beauty

 As much fun as I've had riding and running Doc, the thing I valued most about him, was nothing you can train a horse to do. His kindness and gentleness he's shown with our little boys and sweet Crysta...

Our three year old would brush "his horse's" legs and shoulders because it was all he could reach. He loved feeding him hay & treats, which Doc normally dropped because he didn't want to risk getting his fingers. Then our one year old, Logan, would walk up to him in the aisle of the barn when he was hanging his head out of his stall and reach up and hug his big nose and Doc would perk up his ears and just sniff him. "hot! hot!" Logie would say as Doc breathed on him. I just wish I had a picture of that...

Doc and I competed throughout 2001 - 2004 together, at local shows, the NYS Fair and NBHA Nationals in Lexington, VA. Doc thoroughly enjoyed running in rodeos and coliseums. It was the roar of the crowd he loved.

A kiss from Doc's girl...

Nothing can ever compare to a little girl's dream of a horse and having that dream come true.

I met Crysta when she was 8 years old. I worked with her mother and when she would visit, she would draw me lots of pictures of horses and hide around the corner peeking at me. When she was 11, she began riding lessons with me on Doc, who was 19. I occasionally used him for lessons, so that wasn't the special part... It was how much she learned from him and how no matter what happened... she learned to trust in him and herself. She grew to learn that he would never hurt her.

She had great natural ability and by the conclusion of her first summer riding with me, we had decided that she would show Doc the following year with us and he would be for just her. But she had to help care for him and be responsible for him. Which she was.

Crysta & Doc turning the third barrel at Maine Mavericks

I always asked my students to set goals and Crysta's goal was to win a blue ribbon that first year of her showing. Doc did not let her down and she had her first blue ribbon at the very first show. With every show and lesson her confidence grew. I found new ways to teach her how to excel in the ring without being in the arena. Doc hated arena work after spending most of his life there. One of our favorite lessons was in the neighbors field getting her used to the 'take off'. Doc loved it too.. That season she won the belt buckle for Grand Champion for her 13 & Under age division and I talked her into trading in her skateboarding helmet for a real riding helmet.

The following year she set her sights a bit higher, hoping to capture Grand Champion at two local clubs.  It was amazing to watch Doc run with Crysta. It was almost like he was a young horse again. He would pour his heart out on every run for her. It was because he truly loved her. On one occasion, Crysta became ill before a show and had to miss it... but Doc was loaded and ready to go, so Alan ran him that day. It was almost funny to see Doc practically high lope with him through the patterns! (And Alan STILL ended up winning High Pt on Doc from that one show!!) After a season of hard work and riding, once again... Doc did not let his girl down. They took High Point Grand Champion for both clubs.

Doc & Crysta in Lexington, VA

Crysta and Doc's final year showing together was a big one! Our family was showing hard core and every weekend we were on the road. She was like part of our family and our boys both adored their "big sister".

Crysta's goal was simply to enjoy showing Doc and for Doc to have a good time.  They ended up taking Grand Champion yet again winning another buckle, this time without even trying.

Polebending was by far,  Crysta's favorite class too. She ran in all the Open Pole classes and if they ran clean, which they most often did, they took one of the top places.

On October 2, 2007, Crysta and Doc ran at their last show together. They won their barrel class, but had knocked a pole in her youth pole class. Their final run together would be Open $$ Poles. With tears streaming down her face, they made their last run together. A clean run of 21.9! Even at 22, the ole boy still had it. They won the class with over 20 riders  and Doc finished his career as a champion. Watch their final run.

It was a bitter sweet day for us all, as I felt like I was losing a family member with the conclusion of the show. Crysta had always come around to ride and get ready to show. Now that was over. An emptiness filled our family as Landon asked for her often.

As winter and the award banquets made their way around, I was sitting down figuring out who had earned what and as I was figuring out our family's favorite award, the Fastest Average Polebending Champion, I sat there in disbelief. Tears ran down my face as I recalculated the times. But it was true. Doc and Crysta, a 22 year old horse and a 14 year old girl had bested every other rider that year. I wanted to surprise her at the banquet when I announced it, but emotion took me over and I could barely get their names out, I was so proud of them both.

Crysta came to visit occasionally... Her most recent visit had been May 31st. She came to ride and stay over to go to the show with us, just like old times. The boys were showing in Leadline and they love having her there and we just loved having her around.

Less than eight days later, our beloved Doc was gone.

I'm very grateful that his last ride had been with his special girl. But I am very sorry she didn't get to say good bye...

Click on the link below to view a tribute to Crysta and Doc..

Crysta & Doc... A Forever Love