So my coach called me one Sunday and said “Hey, I found your horse…

My previous horse had to be retired, so my coach called me one Sunday and said “Hey, I found your horse. I already bought him so you can pay me back later. How soon can you come up here to try him?”

That Wednesday I drove 3 hours to go meet “my horse”. It was 17°F and snowing. When I got there, I walked in the barn to find my coach and 2 horses in the aisle: one gorgeous bay gelding who was about 17.2hh, and one scraggly brown 15.1hh gelding.

I thought the big one was the one she found for me, as I’m 6’ tall and have LONG legs. My coach came out of the tack room, pointed to the 15.1hh gelding (who was cribbing on the cross ties), and said “Hey! This is yours! Go on and tack him up.”

Once in the arena, my coach had to toss me up on him like a jockey while he cantered circles around us.

From the moment he started jogging sideways across the arena while I giggled I knew he was meant for me. He had SO much spirit and so much grit. He was absolutely fearless, and was exactly what I needed. He was brave for me when I second guessed myself. I knew this crazy little 4 year old straight off the track had my back.