My name is Ramona Adams I'm the youngest of nine children. Although my family had dogs and even a few cats when I was growing up, my dream of owning my own horse has never materialized.  As a young teenager I rode the neighbors horses. There was 3 girls about my age and they always had a few ponies and horses. The girls were not allowed to ride until all the work was done and, since 4 girls got it done faster than 3,  I learned a lot about farm work: from feeding animals to milking cows. At home you would have had to chain me to the sink to get me to wash dishes (which to this day is my least favorite thing to do) but if doing dishes meant I could ride -- well then bring them on!
 
I took my worst fall from a horse at their house. They had gotten a new horse and the girls were always afraid to ride a new horse.  Their dad was too big for this one so I volunteered. As we rode from the back of the pasture at a nice canter, about half way back, I tried to slow her down, well she had other plans. As the fence got larger, I thought well she'll jump the fence.  It was then I learned a hard lesson: never think you know what a horse is going to do. She stopped on a dime and I sailed over her head. They said when I landed I curled  into a ball and rolled.
I landed between a water trough and a disker. Luckily I don't remember it.
 
When I married my husband was in the Army.  We spent 22 years traveling and raising 2 sons. Although I didn't have much chance to ride, I never lost my love of horses.
 
Last year I became acquainted with Hope's Way because the word "Horse" in their brochure. I started volunteering grooming the ponies and horses and helping with the pony rides at the events.  Then I adopted one of the horses,  a Peruvian Paso named Perry. Perry has been a challenge to win over, but we are buddies now. I was asked in January to join Hope’s Way's Board of Directors, to which I whole heartily agreed.  It has been a very rewarding experience to be apart of an organization that brings so many smiles to so many children at no cost to the families.
 
I learned of the RHPC from Jane Howard and really enjoy getting to met other people who have been bitten by the same bug. I look forward to riding as much with the RHPC that I can.