If there was ever a time I didn't love horses, I can't recall it. Although my parents couldn't afford a horse for me, I was fortunate to have riding lessons and get off to a good start. Outside of the stable and saddle, I obsessively read everything I could about horses--perhaps that's why I was destined to wind up working for a hrose magazine! Many wise, patient instructors of both the two- and four-footed variety have continued to teach me about horsemanship since then.
Teddy wasn't the perfect horse, but when I met him I knew he was perfect for me. With Teddy, I knew for sure that just seeing his head over the gate to greet me every day would bring a smile to my face. On his back, I felt total trust and confidence. Horse people often refer to their "horse of a lifetime"--Teddy is my horse of a lifetime.
I hope you find yours, too!
--Liz
My first horse was an adorable gray 14-hand pony. She came to my barn when I was in high school, and I remember thinking she was precious.
Almost a decade later, I still love my 14-hand pony, Gabby Giggles. We've jumped fences, done western horsemanship patterns, and gone on relaxing trail rides. She was my pal throughout high school and college--I always visited her at the barn when I cam home to Texas over the holidays.
She's a personable horse and makes everyone smile. She has taught me the importance of patience and trust.
I can't wait for the day when I own a house and some land. Gabby is going to be my best friend that lives in the backyard!
--Allison
I first got involved with horses during my junior year of high school, when I began helping a neighbor with her horses. Eventually I started taking lessons and worked on a couple of local farms. It didn't take me long to decide that I wanted to make horses a part of my everyday life. I attended Centenary College in New Jersey and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies with a concentration in communications. Believe it or not, my goal was to work for
Horse Illustrated. Although I've owned a couple of horses in the past, I am currently horseless. However, after a three-and-a-half hour trail ride through the Irish countryside on a Connemara pony named Merlin, I find myself eager to enjoy the trails and parks of Kentucky on one of my own.
--Kim
I've loved horses since I was old enough to hold on to the horsey ride in front of the grocery store. When I was 9, that love really took off when a friend of mine started taking riding lessons at a nearby barn and helped me get involved there. After several years of lesson horses and leases, I was ready to own my own horse. At a local tack shop, we found out about Bush Pilot, a former A-circuit hunter whose "mom" had gone off to college. He had spent a good bit of idle time on her parents' farm growing very out-of-shape. He was 13; the same age as me. He taught me a lot in the years I owned him--mainly how to "stay out of the horse's way" while jumping because if I tried to do all the work, he would just stop!
I got my current horse, Zephyr, off the track when he was 4. He's now 11 and we compete in eventing. Every horse I've ridden, whether it was for a paycheck or just for fun, has taught me an incredible amount about just how different each individual is, requiring different riding and sensitivity to each personality.
--Holly