Email All entries to support@knotatail.com

Entry: Christy Ann Smith, My horse is a True Blessing to me in many ways. I owned a AQHA mare named Review the Pass, for nine years. I shown her in open shows and won ribbons and halter championships. In 2008, Review lost her battle very quickly to a strange rare bacteria. I thought that my life was over. She was my child. Well, I had a mare that become depressed being by herself in the pasture. Soon, I came across a buckskin filly that I just fell in love with. I showed my mom her picture on the website I called the owners to see if we could see her. The moment I seen her, I just knew that she was the one. The owner got her out of the stall She moved so gracefully with a lot of love and compassion. We work things out and I was able to bring her home. She was a small, little 2 year old filly that was new to being in a pasture all of the time with this big ol'mare. We put her in the pasture and she and my other horse bonded quickly. I told my mom that she had a lot of "boo" in her. Well I decide to start showing again. We started out small going to shows near home, where she was the only buckskin. She and I really stood out among the crowd. We placed very well in our classes. Then we went to our first ever Novice Ama Show and placed well. She even won a Grand in Halter as a 2 year old. The funny thing is at this show is that she would watch the lady take the ribbons from out of the box and when she noticed the Championship ribbon she turned and looked at as by saying,"Momma, why don't I have a Championship ribbon?". I told her, " Honey, I don't know, but we will get you one someday, maybe not today, but you will get yours soon". And by golly, she won her a Grand Championship in Halter that day! This little filly named Plenty of Company aka "Monkey" is a very loyal, smart, kind, loving, easy to talk to and loves to go and show. If I and my mom didn't buy her and give her a chance then no one else would have. She gives her all 100% and more. I see a lot of my other mare in her so much. All of my horses are Very Special in the own ways. I don't know what I would do without having horses. Merry Christmas!! Rider/Handler: Christy Ann Smith Horse Name: Plenty of Company (aka "Monkey) Knot A Tail User name: booponymonkey3 Christy Ann Smith, "Monkey","Pony", and the late "Boo"

Entry: user name is mbrammer. Marc Brammer Good Morning, My nmae is Marc Brammer, I am writing on behalf of my daughter Justine. She is a wonderful daughter that has just started getting into horses. She is currently taking lessons, and is doing quite well.
I am doing everything I can to support her in this, because I am a true horse lover. I think the horse is the most magnificent animal on this earth. anyways, I don't have any real stories to tell you. The reason I am doing this is because I lost my job 3 months ago, and have started to open my own catering company in El Paso Texas. to say the least we are struggling a lot.
I do everything I can to pay the bills and to save an extra 25.00 dollars so my girl can take her weekly riding lessons. Needless to say it is tuff sometimes. To win this contest would be such a blessing to her. What an awesome Christmas gift this would make.
I would like to thank you in advance for your time you have taken to read this, and I hope you enter me in the contest. Thank you and God Bless You,< br /> Blessings,
Marc Brammer

Tail user name myblackjack_19
Entry -Lauren Hunt, 15
My horse is a true blessing to me. Im young so I don't know all there is to know about horses, but in the end...no one knows everything.
I grew up always wanting a horse. I must have begged for 5 years straight without even taking a breath but it was always; no enough room, not enough money, and i wouldn't take care of him/her.
After my aunt adopted her horse from the Indiana horse rescue I started volunteering out there in January of 2009. It was in July of 2009 that BlackJack limped into my life.
BlackJack is a 19 year old TB who was trained and raced at Culver Military Academy. He Jumper for 3 months but then tore his Back Flexor Tendon. His jumping career was over and his owners no longer wanted him. He came to the rescue 300 pounds underweight, covered in rain rot, and limping.
He was beautiful. He's taught me so much, he is such a forgiving horse and I learned how to ride on his back. I always went to him when i needed someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. He has so much personality and has so much love to give me that i don't deserve such a loving horse.
BlackJack is now 1100 pounds, sleek and shiny, and is walking perfectly. I couldn't imagine a world without my BlackJack. He has taught me the true meaning of responsibility, love, and reliability. He is always walking beside me even when I'm in his stall or out in the pasture. He has never as of yet hurt me in any way, and he is always there to give my a big horsey kiss(: I guess i have to thank the Indiana Horse Rescue for giving me a true home and helping me to find my best friend.
In that way they are a huge Blessing. But it is BlackJack who is a true Blessing, my best friend, and my teacher...and I couldn't imagine a minute without him by my side.
-Lauren Hunt, 15

Entry User : Jess.Rainy
Rider/Handler Name : Jessica Massengale
Horse Name : Rocko & Rainy
I've been in a lot of trouble in the past, definitely more than most 14 year old at least. My family has never really supported me in any way. I didn't have many friends, and I spent all my time alone.
All that changed last May, when I was looking for a summer job. Since I've always had a love for animals, I went to a stable to see if they needed any help. My grandparents had horses, and I really loved to ride. I'd never given it much thought. When I got there, I met Rocko, the owners 9 week old foal, who had spent 4 weeks in intensive care, & had two operations due to colic.
He was simply the sweetest thing in the ENTIRE world. I spent the first month of summer playing with him, & he taught me so much. He was the only friend I'd had for a very long time.
Then his owner told me about a little mare she had rescued that was at a friends house. My step dad said he would consider it, so i went to see her, & the minute I saw her I knew she was perfect.
The best therapy I've ever had. Since June 13, I've not been in any trouble & I spend 5 days a week with my two best friends in the entire world. Rocko, now six months, is a healthy happy boy & growing quickly. Rainy, is my best friend. She's teaching my patience, and we're learning together how to trust again. I love her more than anything in the world.
My family won't be around for Christmas this year, but I know who I can count on to make it special & I couldn't ask for better Christmas presents then those two. I don't know where I'd be without them.
My Best Friend

user Name: wonderpony
Spring of 2007 I waited with a fragile heart the foaling from a grand ole mare I had on lease. Two years running, my foals had been lost, one due to a bacterial infection and the other from colic. My husband had just undergone whole brain radiation for terminal cancer, and I literally felt like I was living under a perpetual black cloud.
When the mare began showing signs of imminent foaling, I tidied the stall, wrapped her tail and left her alone. Glancing up at my TV tuned to the camera mounted in the stall, I watched as the mare lay down. Sneaking into the adjoining stall I heard snuffling noises that sent me reeling into the area with the mare. Thinking the foal had aspirated, I moved to clear its nostril, when I felt the strangeness of its muzzle. I ran inside to my computer and starting researching because this was something I had never seen or even heard of before, “laterally deviated rostral maxilla” or Wry nose.
With a heavy heart I felt I would have to destroy this otherwise beautiful foal. I brought my husband out to the barn and showed him the filly. He hugged me and said, “Wait, because every day of life is a blessing and every creature a blessing too”.
My husband passed away that Christmas Season and I am so blessed that I kept the little wry faced foal that he named Smoochie, as she has been such a joy in my life, and for me, perfect in every way.
Shae Butts
Riverbend Merrie Maker
Aka “SMOOCHIE”

Entry Kim Thompson
I was bless with a wonderful horse Lady! I got her when I was about 15 yrs old, She was 2 year's old and Bay roan. We grew up together, I spent all my day's with her and many evening's. You couldn't keep us apart, she was my everything.
She took me everywhere, and I always trusted her, she really never made a wrong move. She helped me through tough time's in High School, dating day's and late night's when thing's didn't go right, I would crawl into the hay ring and talk to her.
She was there when I was married, and had my two kid's, and helped teach them how to ride. She taught me how to love and trust. One day out riding in the snow we rode ontop of a ground gate- I am so lucky she didn't fall threw, I jumped off of her, and placed each hoof one at a time on each bar, and she balanced her hoof while I moved the other hoof and we worked together to get her off the gate that was buried in snow. I was so nervous, I was crying, and yelled for help, but nobody could hear me. Thank GOD my mare was such a good girl. We made it! And I learned a very important lesson that day.
She even taught me how to let go.. :( When she was way into her 20's I am thinking she was 25 I bred her one more time, I found the most beautiful black n white tobi stallion and I asked her for a black n white baby. I got one that Spring, and black n white colt, omg I loved him so much, later on my mare became very ill, and hard for her to breath, she was losing weight fast, and still had a foal at her side, and my mare's daughter had a foal to , and we caught Lady's colt drinking from his big sister, we new he would be OK.
On Nov. 3rd I had to make a call to our vet, and ask him to come out and put to sleep my mare Lady, who I had owned from 2 years old to 26, It took my about a week to talk to my mare and get myself ready for such a sad day. She taught me how to let go and to love with all my heart again, which I didn't think I could ever do again.
My wish is to every kid out there to find a Lady like I had, to love and to hold, and to be your best friend. And to this moment I still cry tear's run down my face because of the Love that Horses show us and the Trust everyday!
It's alright to Love and Let Go then to have not Loved at all.
I love you Lady and Thank you for loving me back sooo much

12-09-2009 Entry: By Bekka Bunke
username: ILuvNick
My biggest blessing came in the shape of a chubby, nibbling horse.
I have spent my entire (entire!) life begging for a horse. Every birthday, every Christmas list the first thing listed was a horse. Every shooting star, every dandelion I blew apart, I wished for a horse. Finally, when I was twelve years old, my parents caved into my wishes.
Of the few horses we looked at one stuck in my head. He was a 3 year old sorrel quarter horse gelding with a nice filled out stomach. He was an easy keeper, bottom of the pack, and his lips were always twitching. Now for experienced horse people, he wasn’t really the “right choice.” But he had that look in his eye that stole my heart.
We bought him after one visit. Everything wasn't perfect when we got home. Turns out, he bucks at the lope. No big deal for some of you, but for a 12 year old, with only two summers of horse camp under my belt, it was an epic battle. I fell off.... a lot. And for years I was totally fine with just trotting around the farm. Finally we got help, and he got over his loping issue and we've been as close to golden as riding horse can get... well to me.
Sure he doesn't understand picking up specific leads and he's still got that impressive belly but he's perfect for me. I mean perfect. He loves trail riding, he loves to lope (which is our favorite speed now), he's got natural cow sense, and he's very brave (for being a horse). I made mistakes when I bought the horse of my dreams. But I don’t regret a single moment spent with him. Nick’s Star Seeker.
My star, my life, my blessing

Hi! Here is my entry story for the Christmas Contest. My user name on Knot-A-Tail is Hunts BP Arabians, my real name is Renee Hunt, and the star of the story is my Arabian stallion, Celzeus. By the way, I think the headstall would look marvelous on him! He he! Happy Holidays! The Story of Celzeus A.K.A. "Zeus," My Hero by Hunts BP Arabians Celzeus is a now eight year old Arabian stallion who stands a mere 14.1 hands tall. Small as he may be, Zeus - as he is affectionately known - has a larger than life personality in many ways. He plays fetch, he loves to play, but his devotion and sweet temperament is the best trait. I have had him since he was three and a half months old, and took care of him when he was really sick. We bonded a great deal over the years, and I had just started him under saddle as a four year old in February, 2005. He was so tractable and easy, I was really excited to start doing things with him under saddle! Little did I know, my hopes would come crashing down on February 28th, and I would learn just how devoted Zeus was to me. I was working another stallion that I had at the time in a pen adjacent to Zeus' paddock. The stallion I was training was older and set in his ways, and he decided he didn't want to work that day, so he attacked me! In the blink of an eye, he'd knocked me over and run over the top of me, badly injuring and incapacitating me. I looked up to see him coming back, I supposed intending to finish me off, and I screamed! Zeus heard me and screamed out a challenging neigh to my attacker, distracting him long enough for me to call for help. I owe my life to Zeus for his defensive actions; I firmly believe that, had he not challenged the attacking stallion, I would not be typing this story today. It is because of his bravery that my little Arabian pony Celzeus is my miracle horse, my hero.

My Horse: A True Blessing in My Life By Linda Ann Nickerson Missie nickered her way into my heart immediately. My daughter started it by begging me for riding lessons. After a year of watching her posting around the arena, I mustered the gumption to try some lessons. Within a year, I was hunting for a horse. After test-riding a bay appendix, a solid black Appaloosa and a grey thoroughbred, I bought a chestnut Warmblood. This big red beauty captured me with her floating canter and her powerful, oh-so-rhythmic trot. We schooled for a few months before entering our first show. Then something magical happened. As we entered the arena, Missie arched her neck, lowered her head and began to prance. It was as if the mare said, “Now it’s my turn. I’ll take it from here,” After our classes, I untacked Missie, brushed her copper coat and walked her outside for grazing. I had no idea how we would place in the show, but I hoped we would not come in last. A show runner appeared and handed me three blue ribbons and a multi-colored grand champion rosette. Missie had been right and taken me straight to the winner’s circle in our first show together. Today, Missie is a 20-year-old mother of three. She has welcomed me and my children into her most private moments of foaling and motherhood. Although she still shines in the sunlight, she no longer enters the show ring. But Missie has become a far greater blessing. This faithful friend looks up from her pasture grass when I drive through the stable gates. She whinnies and comes running, even before I reach the pasture gate. I know who the real grand champion is. And though I hope to show her equine offspring someday, no future ribbons can ever replace the wonder of this faithful friend. Linda Ann Nickerson and daughter with Missie and her first foal, Little Mack.

Entry:: Natalie Herman My user name Aylisha

Thayla Franke Tucker my user name is thayla Jan 08 i rescued this Sir Roscoe a TB with a tattoo on his lip. He was so skinny, and his feet were so bad he could barely walk. I bought him a blanket to keep him warm that winter. I had back surgery in Aug 08 in which i now have rods and screws and my entire lower back is fused together. Sir Roscoe and i have gone through recovery together the whole time. We walked together for months now i can ride again. He has turned out to be the perfect horse for me. He is the most gentle soul of a horse you could ever meet.
I have to use a step ladder to get on him he is so big. He can shake his head yes and no when he wants to make a statement. We have formed a bond between us that is amazing and full of love.
I hope to win your contest, as we have gone a long road to recovery. thank you for consideration. Thayla tucker

Rider/Handler: Heather Hehn Horse Name: Charity (aka “Penny”) Knot a Tail User name: ChincoteagueLover92
Describing my Chincoteague pony in 300 words is difficult. My pony Penny has been my life, heart and soul. When we purchased Penny she was seven years old, pregnant with her fourth foal, and was hardly halter broke. I was 11 years old and knew just as little as she did. Prior to us bringing Penny home, her life life consisted of 250 acres of BLM land, with a herd of six other Ponies. I remember my Mom and our friend crying when the ponies came running full speed for the truck that delivered their hay. That is when I spotted Penny. She was In the front of the herd and stood out because of her beautiful copper color that shone just like a new penny. It was love at first sight! I knew I had to have this beautiful Pony. After few weeks of preparation for a pregnant pony we brought her home, then three weeks later she foaled. Penny was gracious and allow us to handle the new colt, named Norman. Later that summer I got on her bareback for the first time. I only rode bareback that first winter as we built our trust. Every morning I was outside grooming while Penny and Norman ate their breakfast. After school without delay you could find me on the back of my best friend. Together we learned about harmony, balance, patience, perseverance, commitment. After years of hard work, sweat, tears, laughs and lessons we have become quite the team. Winning 4H State Championships, multiple High Points and other awards. The best gift Penny gave me was her unconditional love, this will last a life time. Penny is now teaching other little kids the wonderful life lessons she taught me. My shiny new Penny will be eternally in my heart.

Oh yawn!! Hay you awake Classy? suns comen up..Yep breakfast yummmy!!.. Hay Sam ? Yup what? I hope she's not late agin! I'm really hungry. Last night was a tad chilly...look the light went on in her shelter!!! I can hear her en the feed...! Oh goody.. heee haww hee haw...yea Jack she a comen! That ass has a big mouth!!! hahaha.. Opp! the door is opening! Yep, oh I see her Yep hurry hurry! Oh stop weaven Classy shell be here in a minuet.. Morning kids! hungry are we?? No were just fidgeting cause we have to pee! Stupid question every morning for 21 yrs..Now dump the feed already!!!! Yummy huh Sam? Yep best feed maker in the world she is! Crunch munch , But gotta tell ya! she's been were in that car hart all in one thing since I was a baby..its really done for!!...mmmm yumm ! Yea I know Sam its ripped torn ugly... Okay guys here's your hay! Ill turn ya out in a bit!!!.. Hehe Classy I no every torn piece of fabric.and every stain on that thing..! Me to Sam..with out that she would be just another human...!mmmm this is good! Yep But shes our human no matter what she looks like!!.. Yea we would know her by her smell any way..Yep smells like us!..Hehe oh yea we love you human mare mom!!....mmmm good stuff this grain!!! , Yep!!! ok guys 'enjoy your food,' ill be back later..I luv you God has blessed me with you guys for sure ....hay classy you know what?..what??Im thinking we've been blessed too,,,,hmmm Yep we sure have,,now eat.....!! Whinnyhill farm animal sanctuary Ann

Cindy Guilfoyle Knot-A-Tail User name SweetesCinBabe LittleTommyChick@aol.com I'm on Facebook and myspace This is my entry for the Christmas Contest. This is my Cookies and Cream..Welsh-Appaloosa Pony. She was a gift from God She came from the University Of Florida as an experimental pony. Poked and used for the intern techs uses as a learning tool. Cookie had a life of misery being used in experiments and surgery to remove both ovaries. After 6 years of being there..Tom Olive took Cookie under his wing and trained her. He's an excellent trick trainer I saw Cookies on the Internet I loved her build, eyes, color. I had to have her. Little did I know how she made my life amazing. She's my therapy. I have some minor health issues and she has helped ease my pain. Cookie loves kids and follows everyone around like a puppy dog. Cookie does Birthday Pony Parties and loves to compete at the horse shows. She is the Tractor Supply Pony. I have used her as a pleasure horse, and trail ridin . Cookie loves people, baths and is the princess of the barn. Cookie loves to eat cherry pop-tarts, BBQ chips, honey nut bars for treats and don't forget, Cookie gets 2 carrots and an apple a day! Not a day goes by I do not see her. We run together..I sit with her while she grazes.. I dance with her, sing to her...and hug her everyday and thank her for her being in my life. Not only do I feel I saved her in the end of her experiments to give her love and take fantastic, spoiling care of her for the rest of her life..she saved me with some of my health problems. Words can't ever explain how much I adore and love my Cookies and Cream. 143 Cookie 4-eva! I heart you! Thank you for letting me share my true love of loving Cookie story and entering the Christmas Contest. Cookies a present to me everyday!

Brittany L. Mitchell My blessing, my horse. Knot-a-Tail user name Zippoohs Hot aka Hottie Four days after my birthday we had to put my first horse down because of chronic arthiritis. This also was the day I got my new western horse, Hottie. 5 years old, pretty blaze and 3 white socks This Zippoohs Hot was a awesome show horse. We won many a blue and quite a few grands that year and the next. 2006 we went to the Southern Horse Festival. When we got home something was terribly wrong. Hottie coliced, for three days we went back and forth, the next day if he wasn't better they were going to call for us to go to NC State for them to look. That night things took a turn for the worse. He was stretched out in his stall groaning and I was laying beside him crying my eyes out I called my vet and said we can't wait any longer. Hottie went in for emergency surgery for a compaction in his cecum. At 3 am they come to tell us it was successful. They said if he is better in a week he could go home. The fifth day my phone rang.Hottie had to have another surgery". The Vet said, "they didn't put in the lubricant to keep his bowels from adhesing together and they have. We have to seperate it." I asked her could this have not been prevented and she said yes. I was furious!!!! My horse has to go under the knife again and their is only a 40 percent chance he will make it!!! And it could have been prevented. By the grace of God my Hottie pulled through. In the recovery room he slowly stood and leaned against the door where I was. Hottie came home a week later. Six months later Hottie went back to the show ring and won grand champion. That horse is my hero, he is my blessing, my therapist, my inspiration. I thank god everyday I have Hottie. He really is truely a blessing.

Knot-A-Tail user name: whitman39 Keisha Whitman From the time I could walk and talk I asked for a horse. I prayed every night, (okay maybe every other night), I always asked Santa, and it was the only thing on my birthday wish list every year. My parents are foster parents and income isn’t very good. So there wasn’t money to buy a horse. Besides they were also providing for 7 other adopted children. Over the next 20+ years I saved my money, I didn't want just any horse, I wanted "the horse" and a little into my second year of college in 2006, I found him. He was a 2 year old Morgan/QH cross. I showed my dad the picture of him. Dad's reply, "I have never seen an uglier horse in my life, why would you want him?" So I told him I was just going to go look. I didn't lie, I did look and I wanted him. I paid the woman and loaded him in the trailer we had brought, “just in case”. When dad saw him he said, "that is not the same horse you showed me last week." I said, “Yeah dad, it is." He was stunned. “Freddie”, was anything but broke, I knew it was something I would have to work on, and I did. He turned 3 that July, and saddle breaking began, I also changed his name to Kodie. Kodie is broke to ride now, though still very green, and I have found the horse I was meant to have. Even if it did take me 21 years. I’ve had him now for 3 years, this past summer was his first time showing, and he walked in and acted like a pro, winning ribbons at almost every show. He is truly my dream come true, and I love him.

Knot-A-Tail user name: PoetryNMotion My name is Paige Cerulli, My horse's name is Whisper On May 14th, 2008, a car going upwards of 80 miles per hour hydroplaned and hit my truck head-on. According to the police and doctors, I should have been killed. I suffered a head injury which led to balance problems, migraines, and short-term memory loss. It also resulted in chronic fatigue, no matter how much I slept. My right hip was injured and I had to re-learn to balance myself when jogging. I underwent months of speech therapy. If I was to ride again, I would need an older bomb-proof horse, as there was little chance I would be able to balance myself, let alone control a stronger horse. I knew that Whisper, the sometimes spooky ex-racehorse mare I’d been riding previously, did not fit that description. Five months later, though, I rode Whisper again. For that ride, and many to come, Whisper was like a different horse. She was quiet, never pulling at the reins, and when I asked her to stop, she would halt immediately. Although I was off balance at the trot, she balanced for the both of us while I struggled to re-learn what had once come so easily. Whisper has helped me work through the depression that arose when I was facing the many challenges which arose while I returned to school. With my parents’ blessing I bought Whisper exactly a year to the day of the accident and she officially became my first horse. Despite the hectic schedule of being a Senior in college and working to fully support Whisper, I make time to see her every day. She is my blessing, and I do believe that she was sent to me for a reason. To this day she continues to aid in my ongoing recovery, and I love her for everything she does.

Cheyenne Hackney UserId: cheychey01 Horse:Keno
My life has always revolved around horses. I was always the horse crazy kid and still am. When I was 11 I was in need of a new horse that would be faster to run barrels on. One Sunday afternoon we went to the local horse sale. This is where we found Keno. He was a four year old bay and white paint. My mom and dad bought Keno for me, and my life changed. Keno and I formed a bound right away, and it still, after 9 years, is going strong. My “little man” has been with me through the wins and loses and the ups and downs. Keno has never let me down. He gives his everything for me every time we enter the arena. I will never forget a run that we had awhile back. We were both ready as it was the last day of finals. Keno was prancing from the trailer to the warm up pen. Both of us knew what kind of run we would have to make that day. Keno nudged me for peppermint treats while I tightened my cinch. He excitedly walked to the alleyway to make our last run. My “little man” ran as hard as he could. Our time was announced as we entered the alleyway. I was in shock of our fastest run that we had ever made in that arena. He tried his hardest to put me to the top. Again and again Keno proves himself to me. Keno will always be with me not only in my barn, but in my heart. Sometimes horses come into our life and bring us joy that no one else can. I will forever cherish the moments with him for he has left hoof prints on my heart. God Bless & Happy Holidays Cheyenne & Keno

Entry: Andrea horse: Eli Although I have been around horses all my life I never had as much contact with a single horse, even my 13 year old Quarter horse mare, until I moved to Texas and signed up for the Mustang Makeover 2008. This is how I got Eli. Eli was just a yearling when I signed up for the Challenge in the Adult Yearling division. As I said before I've been around horses my whole life but never had the chance to work with anybody that could help me with my horses. As a new resident in Texas I didn't have many friends but I did have my mare. I decided to challenge myself and with advice of my trainer turned friend signed up for the Makeover. Eli was a wild yet calm horse first night I saw him at the barn. He stood at the back of his pen and just watched as everything went on. It didn't take long for him to come up and see what was going on. Through hard work and many hours Eli has become a true blessing in my life. He is now a two year old and the more I work with him the more a friend he has become. If I'm up set he gives me a look and a gentle nudge on the shoulder that says "Ok mom lets go to work. I promise to be the good boy you know I am and I want to see you smile." I've had a lot of ups and downs with horses in my life and just in life in general. If I didn't have Eli I think I would have sold my mare and just stopped riding. Thank you Eli!.

username: kkellis0714 horse: sizzlin prescription "Chester" rider: kelsey Ellis My blessing came into my life when I was looking for a horse for the show season. It was down to two weeks left and I hadn’t any luck finding a horse. Then my trainer found me a gelding that I might be able to lease named sizzling prescription aka “Chester”. When we went to look at him I adored him. I knew he would be the perfect one for me in the show season. Then I found out that they had someone coming to look at him and possibly buy him. Even though I didn’t know him that well yet, I was devastated. But my trainer gave me hope, she said “if it’s meant to be, you’ll get him”. The owner of Chester called at the end of the week and said the other people had decided to buy him. We looked for other horses but we couldn’t find and it was Saturday, the day before the deadline. But out of the hope that I had that something would pull through, the owner of Chester called and said the people changed their minds and I could lease him. I was beaming with excitement, and I got him the next day. We went to many shows, even the state fair, where we received 9th place in horsemanship out of 49 people. Though Chester only earned me one first place ribbon the whole show season, he was still a blessing. He is a blessing because he was always there. He is a blessing because he taught me how to trust a horse even when they are frightening. Whenever I needed a friend I always knew where I could find him. On November first though, we had to say goodbye. After six months of show it as time to part ways and believe me, it was hard because it was like parting with a blessing. I am not leasing a retired race horse who I would also consider a blessing.

Written by Sebetha Orlovetz username: Just me A typical Christmas is filled with joy, when suddenly the Christmas of 2004 was filled only with tears & grief. Heartbreaks S & G’s, known as Giggles was first born in the spring of ’98. Watching him grow up, we became very close friends, playing games while my parents worked on barns & fences. As a two year old, my Mother trained him. He remained a pasture horse until fall of 2004 because he was more of a Western horse then English and Mom wanted to jump. When I got the courage to finally start riding, mainly to enjoy the rodeos with my best friend. I signing up for 4-H, we went to our first play day, where we were awarded 4th place in flags. Soon I began taking barrel racing lessons and riding in our first parade. While Giggle’s spent a month at a local trainer, the trainer became concerned Giggles was too much horse for me, until I came out to ride one day, & Giggles proved he was an excellent babysitter. Shortly after bringing him home he was in an accident, & put on stall rest, soon after we lost him to a terrible fight with colic. He knew he was my horse though, & refused to rest in peace till he knew I would be ok. I still think about him, & Christmas remains a hard time, but I enjoy remembering all the fun times I had with him, & have continued to ride, currently owning 2 horses which I believe have a piece of him with them. Had I not decided to ride when I did, I might never have know the best friend there was. Thanks to him I have a wonderful life filled with loving animals, of all kinds, big & small. In Memory of Heartbreaks S & G’s. Written by Sebetha Orlovetz Photo: Heartbreak S&Gs (giggles) ridden by Sebetha Orlovetz.

Jodi Braford & Dixie user name: Jodi Braford It's me, Dixie, I'm my Momma Jo's blessing. I found Mom at a horse auction when I was 8 months old and convinced her to bring me home. I was waiting to put my head right in the halter and jumped in the trailer to travel to my new home where I promptly tried to bite Rick, I'm not gonna call him Dad even though he's married to Momma Jo. I picked my Momma Jo and I don't need anyone else, guess I'm what some people call an Alpha mare and one person horse. I have protected my Mom and taken good care of her through thick and thin for 12 years now. We've shown together, as you can see, I'm a Grand Champion in halter and we have lots of fun together too. I'm numero uno in Momma's book but she dearly loved my boy friend Desi as much as I did. We lost Desi in October and we both miss him badly. I am looking forward to sharing my and Desi's foal with Momma Jo in June 2010. We have decided to call our foal Destiny.