I am in my thirties, full of anxiety, full of personality, love to laugh, love to ride my Missouri Foxtrotter.  I recently married and live in Sheridan, Indiana wih my husband, three children and two step-sons.

I have loved horses all my life and was promised a horse or pony at the age of two.  My father would take me to auctions and we would buy horse tack one piece at a time until there was nothing left to buy but a horse.  I would always ask when we were going to get this horse and one excuse after another would come up.

My dad had horses when he was a teenager and used to be in shows, so I would go through all his ribbons, plaques, trophies, and pictures and wonder why I couldn't be doing the same thing.  He would always tell me that I couldn't have a horse until I was responsible enough to take care of it.

I lost track of my dream until after I had graduated, got married, and had my second child.  My father asked me if I wanted to go to an auction with him, and reluctantly I said yes.  I fell in love that night with a big Quarterhorse named Gus.  He was sold to someone else that evening and my heart was broken.  Dad said that I couldn't buy every horse that I saw.  Two days later (Mother's Day), I went to my parents house and there stood Gus in the pasture waiting for me.  My dad had bought him without me knowing and had him delivered.  I stood there looking at Gus with tears in my eyes realizing that he was MINE!.  With this acquistion, I became a horseowner at the age of 26 not knowing a thing about horses other than I now had a new friend..

Gus was definitely not a beginner horse, he was huge and spooked at everything!  Over time, I began to wonder why I had wanted a horse my whole life and I was now becoming afraid to be around him.  After a couple of years, I sold him to a teenage girl that used him for barrels........match found!  After Gus, I researched every breed of horse by Internet, books and horse owners.  I hung out at auction rings, horse fairs, mounted shootings, rodeo's, etc. to see if horse ownership was for me.  I decided that I wanted to buy a gaited horse, so I researched every gaited breed and made the decision to buy a Missouri Foxtrotter.  I am now the proud owner of Beamer, my 18 year old mare, who has taught me how to ride. 

I have suffered from panic and anxiety disorder for the last 15 years of my life. I am determined to overcome it.  After joining RHPC, I didn't do anything the first year because I was so afraid to talk to anyone or ask for rides to events.  I remember my first overnight camping at JW Jones wondering if I was going to be able to stay through the night.  Jane and Belinda befriended me that evening helping me set up my tent, giving me extra blankets, an air mattress, flashlight, etc.  (I wasn't very prepared).  Waking up the next morning in disbelief that I actually stayed, I decided to make more friends.  I ran into miss Lona on a different trip to JW's and she railered me everywhere... thank you so much Lona.  I now have my very own trailer... woo woo!

Joining Red Hats & Purple Chaps has given me confidence as a person and as a rider.  Everyone that I have met has been very supportive and helpful.  Hanging out with all of these ladies who don't know what "no" is or who have no limitations is absolutely inspiring to me.  I love that here are women in their 70's who are still riding.  I am in "awe" and I hope that I will still be riding when I reach that age.  You go girls!  Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far.