Since we lived in town, and money was scarce, owning a horse was out of he question. But, I still had a stable of “stick horses” in the corner of the garage, and I rode “many-a-mile” around the yard.

For several years, my cousins lived on a farm. They had two ponies, a mare and her foal. We spent a great deal of time playing with the foal and riding the mare bareback. Then, after I started college, my grandparents farm was rented to a young family. The young farmer bought a gaited mare from the Amish. He let me ride whenever I wanted. WOW! For four years I rode all over the farm, the country roads around the farm, and even from Bloomfield to the farm after a parade. It was great.

After a wonderful marriage, three great kids, 29 years of teaching school and forty-three years resieing in Indianapolis; my husband passed away. Six years later, I sold my house and bought a wonderful home on 2-plus acres with a small barn and fenced pasture near Martinsville. My daughter’s friend had an American Shetland and her filly that she had to sell together to a good home. I jumped at the chance and they are now mine. The mare is trained to pull a cart. Last summer, I drove her all over the neighborhood and had a great time. My grand daughter enjoys driving her too. Both of the ponies are now about the same size and I’m working on driving them as a team. Still, I dreamed of owning my own horse. This past fall and winter, I searched the Internet looking for a Tennessee Walker. I found one and he is now mine. My daughter and her husband were kind enough to give him a home with them. He has adjusted very well, gets along with the other horses, and is a pleasure to ride.

I first saw the RHPC’s at the Martinsville parade about 3 or 4 years ago, the gals were having such a great time. It was my desire to one day join this group. So my daughter, Kelly, and I did just that last November and are looking forward to participating with this wonderful group of horse lovers.