36

Thirty six years ago today, I came into the world. My dad loves to tell everyone that when he went to the nursery to see me for the first time, I stuck my tongue out. That set the tone for my childhood. My mom told me that I had to face outward when I was being held because I had to see what was going on. I sat on horses before I could walk. I have old 8mm film of me in a pink snowsuit, sitting on "Kippy." What would Fugly say?:-) I bought my first pony for $40...money from my piggy bank. Her name was "Topper Star" and the first time they let me ride her, she took off at a full gallop, ran down the field and turned around and came back. My parents said I laughed the whole time and came back with a huge grin on my face. I was hooked, I was horse crazy. Summers were spent at the racetracks or local horse shows. I collected Breyer horses, pouring over those catalogs trying to decide which ones I wanted for Christmas, which ones I wanted for my birthday. As time went on, I acquired four ponies, Topper, Brandy, Dyna, and Lightning. To this day, I think of them and get a huge lump in my throat and then the tears...I miss them. They were everything to me. This photo is me and Topper and my aunt Kathy. We are dressed up for a local parade and I think for whatever reason, I was "pouting" when this picture was taken. My mom made my jockey costume. I wore it after the parade, just because I thought it was so cool. We didn't have a lot of money, and what money we did have went to the horses. My first horse, Tink, I claimed for $500 off a bush track in South Dakota. He was 12 at the time and still running the socks off the two years old at the track. He became my barrel horse and my best friend. There is an old saying "I've spent most of my life in the saddle, the rest of the time I have just wasted." I believe that to be true. Today was my birthday, and I am reflecting on the passing of time and the horses, the friends, and the family that have made it an amazing 36 years. This last photo is my 7th birthday. My mom got creative with our birthday cakes as well. We loved her "bear" cakes. This is my dad, Asher, and my little brother, Will. I am sure those wrapped boxes are Breyer horses, that is why you see that big, toothless grin.