I share the lifelong horse passion with most of the RHPC women. My heroes have always been cowboys. My childhood was of the "live on the farm and have a pony as best friend and companion" variety. Even though I married a farmer (Herb, 43 years ago) and have lived on a farm and always had a horse or two around, I put aside my passion for years to raise children, finish college, have a career, etc. But it never goes away, does it?

In 2003, after a total hip replacement, I purchased the trail horse of my dreams and a trailer, and started weekend trail riding. It was so wonderful, I couldn't get enough! In 2006, I adopted a three-year-old mustang gelding from the BLM, and devoted all the time I could to his gentling and training. They're like children -- you think you will never be able to love the second as much as the first until he comes along, and BOOM! you're smitten again.

The first horse, Cato, I credit with giving me the confidence to venture out of my comfort zone and into new horse adventures. His "been there, done that" confidence and steady, reliable character were just what an old lady needs to get back in the saddle.

The second horse, mustang Kola, what can I say? That mustangs truly do bond with their people. That they're the purest and most honest of horses. That, in order to survive in the wild, they have to be incredibly sensitive and smart. And that Kola is causing me to raise the level of my horsemanship by several notches. Not because he's difficult -- in fact, just the opposite -- because he tries so hard, learns so fast, and is so deserving of the best deal I can possibly give him. Kola and I have over 100 trail miles now and he's well on the way to being the absolutely reliable in all situations trail horse I had been spoiled into expecting by Cato. I credit my wonderful horse friends and riding companions and their reliable mounts for giving me the courage to take him out and get that experience.

Recently we added a tiny pony, Bambino, from Indiana Horse Rescue, to our herd. His job is to keep whichever horse stays home for the weekend company, but already he does much more. He is so gentle and loving, even the smallest child or frailest oldster can get a little "horse love" from him any time. He's already been to a birthday party and, I think, started his own fan club.

I'm loving the RHPC clinics already, and eagerly looking forward to trail rides and other activities, and meeting new horse friends, this summer. So if you see us on the trail, I'll be on a blue roan leopard appy or a black BLM marked mustang, please say "Hi" and ride along for a while.