Several years ago our pastor told us in a sermon that if we wanted to be successful with something we were trying to do, we should be involved with others who were doing the same. I took notes on this and wondered where I could find such a group of horse lovers. Except for the professionals I hired to train my horses and take riding lessons from, I felt alone in my world of horses. My husband and children appeared uninterested in my two newly acquired appaloosa fillies. Since that time I have shared the love of horses with whoever would talk to me.

When I heard the Red Hats and Purple Chaps chapter of the Red Hat Society I couldn't believe that turning 50 could offer such possibilities. I will be 50 years old on July 5th and I had no idea such a great group of ladies existed. I also found out a long time friend of mine is also a true horse lover. This is my great friend Kim David who a recent member.

Married with three young boys, I began breeding Golden Retrievers and then in 1999 I took the money I made and purchased two appaloosa fillies ( one was a gift from dad). I bought them from an Appaloosa Ranch in Mooresville from a man named Floyd Money. My girls were 5 and 3 months old when I first laid eyes on these horses. They made my heart feel wonderful and I began learning so many things about young horses. Of course some times I learned the hard way. We also found out how expensive having horses can be and I became a substitute teacher to pay for their needs. They are now 6 years old and since that time I have had them to the trainers three times. I learned the most from a trainer named Terry Tryon at the Leanin T Ranch. He gave me close to 50 hours of one on one training which was mostly ground training. I rode my horses the last week of their training but only in a round pen. Since that time I have been waiting for a chance to advance further. I am planning to send one of my horses for a month of training again soon with an emphasis on riding. It would be a dream fulfilled to be able to take one of my girls on a trail ride with a group of horse lovers. Until one of my horses are ready to visit with your horses I will have to just come and hang out and help etc. but I would really love to be in your Red Hat Society and get to know you all.

My brothers and sister agree that a support group like the Red Hat Society is just what I need. There is also a possibility of borrowing one of my brother' s horses until one of mine is ready. I definitely need to get more time in the saddle. I took riding lessons for a summer about 2 years ago and sometimes I saddle one of my girls and have someone lead me around. I really enjoy ground work with horses and I know I will love riding them. Both of my mares would also be good to breed and that is also a great ambition of mine. I believe I have about 4 more years to make this happen.

I grew up in Perry Township on 15 acres. We always had animals and I loved springtime when the new babies were born. We had a Morgan horse named Prince. I rode him a lot as a child, however at some point he decided if you weighed over 100 lbs. he would rather throw or brush you off. Prince lived well into his thirties.
Life on the farm is my favorite place and I have always felt great peace in the barn with the livestock.

I am an R.N. and have been Homeschooling for 15 years. I have three sons ages 15, 18, and 20. My oldest is in college. My husband is a computer programmer and currently has a job in White Plains, New York. We are always hoping he will soon be able to work from home. I have two years of Homeschooling left and I feel as though some things are going to be different in a few years. I hope that one of those things is to advance with my horses. I love God and my family, but my very favorite activity or escape is working with the horses.