Five years ago, I was a horse crazy 14 year old. I had been taking regular riding lessons at a local 3day (eventing) barn, but I dreamed of the day where I could look after my own horse. I developed a particular bond with one pony I rode, and had the most fun jumping him in our lessons. Owning him was something I wished of, and when he came up for sale, I saw a possible chance. My dad said no, and I took one last ride on him before he left.
I was in the 8th grade at the time, and the family was going through some hard times. My Grandpa S. was sick, and he was given only months to live. My family brought him home where he could pass peacefully. And that’s when I met a nice, soft spoken lady named Arlene*. She came to take care of my Grandpa and lived there as well. My parent’s talked to her about my love of horses, riding, and the lessons I took. She invited us to come up to her house and visit her horses. It just so happend she owned two Arabian mares.
So one cool day we drove up there. I saw two horses, one a darker bay and one a lighter bay. Arlene* took me over to the fence to meet the dark bay. The mare was fostering an Arab filly at the time. I stood at the fence, and she came right over, the filly not too far behind. I stuck my fingers through the fence and the mare gently let her warm air hit my fingers. The filly then wanted to get in on the action, so she tried to get in front of the mare. But she would push the filly off and block any enterance to get to us.
That brisk day I was introduced to Errika the sweet Arabian mare. From that day on, every weekend, my parent’s would take me up to Arlene’s* to hang out with her. I would brush her, ride her bareback, and even share some lunch’s with her. We’d spend our time just enjoying eachothers company. And then one day when Arlene* brought me out a bowl of spagetti and a Pepsi, she told me something that changed my life. I could treat Errika like my horse, because she was mine. I was speechless, but I was all smiles.
Weekend after weekend we visited Errika. My Grandpa was still sick, and his time was coming. My mom to this day doesn’t know what is harder; knowing a loved one is dying or having a loved one suddenly pass. Her mom suddenly passed when I was 11 years old. I think Errika was sent to us during that time, to bring light to a sad time in our lives.
After weekends passed, I wanted to start looking for a saddle to buy. I have had a lot of first’s with Errika from owning my first tack to my very first grooming set. I found a Dressage saddle at a local tack shop for $250. It was in excellent condition, and after giving my mom all the money I had saved, she helped cover the rest. I had my first saddle!
A few months passed, and it was now time to decide when to bring her home. It was the Spring of 2003.
To be continued!….
