Christmas parade icon Dagnabit dies at age 34
by LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Dagnabit in his last Christmas parade in Kilgore with his owner, Sandy Pickett on board.

It is always a sad day when we lose someone in our lives, especially if that someone was with you since the day he was born. and Sandy (Salyer) Pickett knows just how that feels.

Pickett was more than just the owner of a half-Arabian stallion - "Dagnabit was like the son I never had," she said.

Dagnabit passed away last week at age 34.

Dagnabit, as he was known in Kilgore, was a fixture in the Kilgore Christmas parade for the last 32 years, ridden in each of those parades by his one and only owner, Pickett.

"I got him when my father won him in a raffle," she recalled. "My dad wanted a mare and when he found out it was a colt he said 'dagnabit' and that is how he got his name."

Pickett said Dagnabit was a one person horse. "He didn't care for men at all and the only other person he would let ride him was my niece, Jami," said Pickett. "Jami won her first contest on Dagnabit."

Jami said when Dagnabit passed away it was like losing an uncle. "He was the first horse I ever rode."

Pickett said during their life together there were good times and bad. "We were in three accidents together, two of them I was hurt and one he was hurt," said Pickett. "One I almost died, that was 20 years ago.

"I knew every scar Dagnabit ever had, most of which he got from the trails in the woods around my house," said Pickett. "He grew up there and knew those trails better than any person," said Pickett.

Pickett said Dagnabit never liked following other horses, he always wanted to be in the lead. "I think it was because he always walked so much faster then other horses, he didn't like being slowed down," said Pickett. "That is why in the Christmas parade he always took his place behind Santa's sled."

"Dagnabit never did like my husband Curt much, except when he had the feed bucket, of course. "Dagnabit was not without his bad habits, though. Once, he kicked my father, but with one good rap from Dad's walking stick, Dagnabit never did that again," said Pickett. "He even bit my mother, but she straightened that out quickly and that was the last person he ever bit."

"Dagnabit never did like my husband Curt much, except when he had the feed bucket, of course... But despite his faults, and I knew every one, I loved every inch of him."

"I know Dagnabit was suffering in the end and I had to let him go," said Pickett. "I believe he is now with his mother and father."

"I rode Dagnabit in parades, shows and just around the streets of Kilgore and I know he will be missed by many. I will miss the kisses he liked to give," said Pickett. "He loved all the girls."

"Dagnabit spent his entire life devoted to me and me and I was devoted to him. We had a good life together," said Pickett.