From the very beginning I loved horses but growing up on the East Coast and living in small cities did not give me any opportunity to be near horses or own one. I drove my Mom (a non animal person) crazy with my continual request to read me horse stories. Mom tried hard.  She got me a few riding lessons but nothing consistent.  Finally, at the age of 30 I was able to get started on my dream of riding and owning a horse.  My husband had finished his schooling and was employed at Indiana University.  IU was convenient so I took lessons at Pine Cones Slopes Stables outside of Bloomington where I was able to take jumping and dressage lessons for a few years.  I was also able to take several courses in stable management offer by IU in a continuing education program. Next, we bought some land near the riding stables and opened a camp for young children. We had 2 children of our own by that time. We called the camp Challengers Day Camp. We had it for 15 years. While riding horses was a favorite part of the program, I was determine to teach the children that riding a horse was much more than just sitting in the saddle. Taking that approach, we had a lecture session before the riding.  We taught -safety, horse behavior, grooming, mucking etc. Our camp-horses enjoyed the children. It was fun and very rewarding work.  We had 140 children a day and 60 on our staff. We had several horses so I was able to finally get my horse fix satisfied although, I really did not get much chance to ride because of the time constraints involved in running the camp. After we closed the camp I opened a boarding facility.  I enjoyed the horses and boarders very much but again I wasn't riding. So, after several years I closed the business and we have had just our riding horses here. Then into our lives, came our 6 grandchildren who we dearly love. I have a feeling that at least one of them will have the "H" gene. My husband David retires this July, which will give us lots of time to pursue our interest.  I feel the future will bring many good times of riding with friends; life doesn't get better than that!

I have a Fox Trotter and a Tennessee walker.  They will be my horse companions through the next phase of my life. I plan to get back to riding and enjoying that dream of being in harmony with my horses again--it always nurtures my soul. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of the Red Hat and Pink Hat riders.