...reflects back on my days with Chopper

I had a recent request from my new friend Pony Girl to post a few pictures of my childhood appy, Chopper and I am more than happy to oblige! In fact, great minds think alike, because on that very same day, I had picked up a bunch of pictures from my mom's house, thinking that it would be fun to show some childhood riding pictures. I'm still going through the archives, but here are a few that I've found. Eventually, I'm hoping to get a lot of these on CDs...man, are we spoiled with digital photography now, or what?! ;)

First up we have me riding bareback around our pasture...I think I was six here. He was such a good boy when I was a wee little youngster. Isn't it funny how horses just seem to know when they're in charge of a little one and that they better be on their best behavior? 'Cause trust me, he wasn't always this compliant!

Such as here, where we have a picture taken during my hunter/jumper wannabe days. He had had about enough of our "jumping course" and decided it was time to scrape my pre-teen butt off of his back, with the help of some low-hanging Douglas Fir tree branches. Well, that's what he thought he was gonna do, anyway. I sure taught him! Wasn't the funnest way to end a ride, but I stayed on (with this gnarly tree branch for company) and my mom took this picture to prove it! I remember this day well, just like it was yesterday...even though it was more like sixteen years ago. Man, I'm getting OLD!!!

Last up, we have a photo taken by my mom of us frolicking in the field. I'm not really sure what I was doing here, but I do know I was lookin' pretty snazzy in my equestrian get up. Who gets dressed up like this to ride around their pasture? Me at twelve, that's who! I was the epitome of "equestrian chic"...just like the people I saw in my horse books. Only, the coat I have on is my mom's work blazer...she was so sweet to go along with my charade! ;)

Well, I think that's it for now...stay tuned, though, because I'm sure I will be adding more as I sort through the archives. None of these photos show Chopper from the side and that's a sight you gotta see! He had the funniest mane, it stuck straight up like a Zebra's! I also know that there are a few pics somewhere of my mom at a western pleasure show with him that I really love.

For now, suffice it to say that looking through these pictures has again reminded me of how LUCKY I was to grow up with a horse in my life. Sure, I had moments where I wanted to live in the same neighborhoods as my friends and "hang out" after school, but looking back, I am so thankful for what I had instead. A steadfast friend who was always ready for a hug after a hard "pre-teen" day at school. A loyal companion who taught me the value of both patience and persistance....and....a big fat pain in my butt who gave my arms a constant work out, which in turn helped me to master the 23 second arm hang on the Presidental Fitness Test in sixth grade! Hey, don't laugh...that was a major accomplishment for a kid who ran a seventeen minute mile! ;) P.S...I still loathe running. Sprinting, I enjoy, but jogging...bor-ing!