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Career, two marriages, children, and other life pursuits forced
me to take a 31 year hiatus from horses. The passion never dies, it just lies below the surface.
When Bart and Flo started taking riding lessons I knew that I would also resume riding and training
as well. Little did I know I'd end up with my dream horse and a young hunter/jumper prospect who has the potential for greatness.
Still I have to sometimes pinch myself over having these fine horses. It's a great feeling that is hard to duplicate. Even
better, neither of these horses was very expensive, which only adds to my delight.
As a child my main goal was to win prizes, and the horses I had were more or less a means to
an end. Sure, I loved the horses, but didn't really appreciate them. What 9-19 year old is going to appreciate much of anything?
It was fun, and a great way to grow up, but as an adult I feel different about horses.
Each of our horses is an individual, and I appreciate their different characteristics and personalities.
I have much more patience for training, and don't mind the general repetitiveness and sometimes boredom of giving a young
horse their lessons. I'm in no hurry to rush them into something before they have learned the prior lesson. Training is like
building something. You can't build the walls till you have laid the foundation. We are doing this with Dakota. She is improving
each time we work her, which tends to even make the training part a joy.
Dan is black, 17 hands tall, and makes me feel majestic just sitting on him. He's a lot smarter
than I am, and I am still learning how much he knows. I have also learned that he knows a lot more than I do.
Dakota loves to jump and will trot quietly over low fences.
She's 15.2 hands tall and when her training is more advanced will most likely show in Junior working hunter and/or Junior
jumper.
Dan is the finest horse I could ever have. He is so talented
and athletic. His knowledge base is extensive. Here is Bart enjoying some leisure time with him.
Here are Dan and I in the indoor arena. We were working on dressage.
Dan is very good at dressage. I have to learn more so that I can catch up with what he knows since I've done mostly jumping
all my life.
Dan in all his thoroughbred glory. He is a difficult horse to
ride, but I've never had a horse like this so I'm blown away every time I ride him.
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