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I began my riding experiences on the back of my neighbor's pony, riding double with my neighbor, Sandy. I must have been around 8 years old at the time. Sandy, who would have been 7, and I were bouncing down the gravel road on her pony's back (no saddle of course) giggling and laughing when I started to slide. I clutched Sandy as hard as I could so I wouldn't fall as she was yelling at me to let go. Too late. Into the ditch we tumbled. She was mad and I was crying. She must have felt sorry for me because she let me get back on her pony with her and we headed for home. That's how it all started and I've loved horses ever since.
When I was 12 years old I coerced my parents into buying me an old pinto mare. Her name was Beauty. She had one speed and that was "run as fast as you can." A teenaged boy owned her before I did so she was pretty hopped up, but because of her age I only had her for a little over a year. One day I came home from school and she was gone. She had to be put to sleep. As any little girl would be I was very sad and lost without my horse.
Thus was the beginning of more begging and pleading. But this time it was different because I had saved some money, which amounted to about $40.00, to put on my next (I hoped) horse. Then along came Rebel, who was a tall, leggy white gelding. We had so much fun together riding for miles into the countryside. I even had to ride him to the blacksmith who had his stable about 5 miles from our house.
After I married, at the ripe old age of 18, I had to sell Reb and settle down. (HaHa!!) I thought my horse days were over until a friend of mine said she started taking riding lessons at a local barn. I kind of cocked my head at her and said, "riding lessons?" So at the age of 41, our 2 sons now ages 21 and 18, I started taking English riding lessons. Six months later I was purchasing my first horse as a grownup. One horse became 2, then 3 and now we have 6. Five Morgan mares and one Arabian gelding. After the first 2 we decided to buy some ground and build our own little ranch. It is beautiful! I had always dreamed about moving west and having my own ranch. Well, I moved about 7 miles west from where I grew up. Not a world traveler, that's for sure.
I began taking dressage lessons about 12 years ago and persisted with that to the present. I learned so much from my dressage instructor. I believe she made me into the horse woman I am today. I don't know if she would want to lay claim to that, but I certainly benefited from her disciplined teaching. I was at training level longer than any living human being, but I'm glad I did it.
So now I just want to have a good time with my horses and enjoy them as long as I can. That's why I decided to join "Red Hats and Purple Chaps", because I believe you ladies have the same agenda in mind. It's gonna be so much fun!
Sue Hansen |
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