So I’ve got some happy news to share – And I’ll take you back a little so you understand my surprise when hearing this good news myself.
Taking you way back – I’ve had a horse since I adopted one at the age of 19 (the horse was around 28-ish) . I had no business adopting a horse, as I was still going to college, didn’t have a pot to piss in other than the loving homes of family to live in – and should have been saving money instead of spending what little I made with part time jobs on an old horse. But wild horses couldn’t drag me away when the opportunity presented itself, and in fact that horse came to Connecticut with me as I began my new life here.
We’ve had a small horse farm ever since. Some horses we’ve brought home have come and gone on to another owner once their job with us was complete, some have stayed. Currently, Max and Opie and Coady and Lacey are living out their senior years here with us. Max was my daughter K’s show horse on the beginners level of the American Quarter Horse circuit until his colic surgery and retirement from the show pen at the age of 22. He had done his job well and we figured he deserved to retire in style after that surgery ordeal. When that happened, we pretty much decided we were done with showing. K is saving for her own home with her Mr. some day, and so she was contented to ride Max here on the farm and continue occasional lessons at the show barn she used to ride with.
I’ve never been big on showing – I’m more of the love ’em at home kinda girl. My daughter, however, LOVES to show. And she missed it. Her father, who bankrolls the whole endeavor, told her if she gave big Max to another person, he’d buy her a new show horse. Well, you know how we love our old boys – Max wasn’t going anywhere. So It’s been two years, she remained content in the care and keeping of her old boy, Max, and we assumed we were hanging up our show hats.
Recently, the husband and I were watching she and Max go round the ring, and I explained how proud I was of the rider she had become. Always kind, firm with cues, a gentle rider with a natural seat that I envy. Somehow in that moment of conversation, something clicked in M’s head, and he called our old trainer not long after, of which I was not aware.
I got a text a few weeks ago.
” W has a horse I want you to go look at. Don’t say anything to anyone, just go see what you think, and don’t tell K. “.
what?…….
So, a bit stunned, I went to the barn, where W and I briefly discussed our shock at the fact that M contacted her and told her to find K a safe, sound horse so she could get back in the show pen. We were all under the impression we were done with it. Afterwards he told me what spurred him on –
For those who haven’t been reading here long – my daughter was in a car accident at the age of 16.5 and after weeks of coma and years of recovery, she has lived (and thrived!) with a traumatic brain injury ever since. Horses were a big part of her recovery. So M said – “Our daughter has come a long way – she loves working with the horses, she’s dedicated, she spends the time and really cares, plus she’s become a good rider. I don’t want to hold her back from following her dream of showing in some of the bigger arenas”. I think I loved him up another notch just then.
So up at the show barn – W pointed to a stall where a very pretty dark bay mare stood blinking back at us. She was tacked up and ridden for me, and I could see she had the training, talent and the quiet/kind disposition we’d want if we were really getting back in to the show arena.
Then the big test. We told K the next day that W had a show horse that needed exercise until she was sold, and wondered if K would like to be the person to ride her while she was for sale. Heck yes, of course! We set up a time for K to ride the mare with W, and that first ride went really well. It was clear they were a great fit immediately, and so we broke the good news to her right there and then.
So, do you like her? You think you’ll enjoy riding her until a buyer comes along?
K: Are you kidding? I love her! She’s so well trained, and friendly too! So nice of W to let me ride her, this will be fun!
How MUCH do you love her, though?
K: What?…….
And then she knew…. Leah was hers.
Tears and smiles… and here we go again.
Welcome Leah! 💗
