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!!!
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! ;)
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!
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