Bill O'Brien 

Dublin, Ireland 

Born on February 25, 1935, Bill O'Brien fell in love with his new home, and wildlife in the Chaparral-bedded Santa Monica Mountains of West Los Angeles. Quitting high school and hitchhiking to Arizona to be a cowboy, his adventure was cut short a year later when Bill's mother forced him back to high school by the ear. Graduating with honors, it was back to Arizona cowboying, and finally entering the University of Arizona College of Agriculture. He joined the U.S. Cavalry Reserve when war broke out but when the U.S. sold all the cavalry horses, Bill joined the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Group. When Bill's wife contracted polio in 1958, he sold his Boston wool business and their small farm, moved to Arizona, and acquired the 700-square-mile Eagletail Ranch, which he still owns. His sports interest include polo, flying, falconry, and poetry. 

Viejo Amanceer ("Ol' Sunup") 

He was Sunup to all who him
And when given his fill of mash
He'd run with his soul like the wind
In the race called the 100-yard dash. 

Not many could find a first place
On the dusty road called a track
'Cause Sunup had that running grace
That put him in front of the pack. 

Life was but a game to him
For which he had a knack
He liked to have his belly scratched
And sometimes farther back. 

How does one say goodbye
To a friend of so many years? 
To think that this friend could die
Would cost too many tears. 

"Viejo" I thought as I loosened his cinch
And pulled off the old brown saddle, 
He is just as tall by every inch--
"My God, what a hell of a battle"-- 

Years have passed; my bones are tired
And my hair has turned to gray. 
But just as a priest remembers his prayers
I'll remember Sunup - today.