Farewell
3 Magic Beans (Article
and Photograph Courtesy of The Chronicle of the Horse.)
Nina
Fout's 2000 Olympic partner, 3 Magic Beans, was euthanized on March
15 due to a degenerative spinal cord disease. He was 17. "Beanie"
(Hidden Capitol—Express Card) completed 10 four-star events, including the
Rolex  Kentucky
CCI four times, the Badminton CCI (England) twice and three trips around the Burghley
CCI**** (England), as well as the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where they earned a team
bronze medal. Fout retired him after the 2006 Rolex Kentucky CCI. "My
time with Beans was pure magic," said Fout. "We traveled the
world together. I am grateful that we were able to share our career with family
and friends alike. He touched so many lives and exhibited such unique energy.
He was a special family member who will be truly missed." Jim Wofford,
always a big fan of the 17-hand Thoroughbred, said in the Chronicle's 2006 Rolex
Kentucky Preview issue: "Beanie is another one of my personal favorites.
He has a luminous eye and the look of eagles. He is the archetype of a classic-format
horse." "Wherever I go, people always inquire, 'How is Beans?'"
said Fout. "Beans had more of a caring public than other members of
my family, including my canines! He came into our family as a 2-year-old race
horse in training and was 17 when he died. As a 4-year-old, I started him in his
new eventing career. From the moment I first sat on him I knew he was something
special. He loved his job and was a thrill to ride. He captured many hearts, especially
mine."
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