Monday, October 20, 2008

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.

18 comments:

allhorsestuff said...

Yea sweet girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Yours KacyK
Have to take you out soon!!!

OnTheBit said...

Happy Birthday! I love the picture of you and Topper read to race! It is priceless! And I hear you with the Breyer obsession...I still always pause in the store to look at them and think about how much joy they used to bring me. I hope you had a wonderful birthday filled with love and laughter.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Happy Birthday! You've been a very lucky girl since you were little to be able to own and ride all your ponies and horses.It must have been a real treat and so much fun. My daughter was Breyer obsessed she must have a few hundred of them in boxes in my basement.

Anonymous said...

Aw Photogchic, that was so sweet! Loved the picture of you and your first pony! At that age, I was only longing for a horse... Didn't start riding regularly until I was eighteen, but soon caught up for lost time! How is your cute nephew these days by the way?

Greetings from West Africa!
Esther

The Heart Of Now said...

Happy Birthday!

I just turned 34 this year and love the old photos. Every time I return home I sneak more of them out of the family albums. It is fun to look back at the kid you were, time seemed to pass slower and more magical.

Deanna said...

Happy Birthday! Love the pics:)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! What a fun post. You have certain worked your way up tin the horse world. That pony is so cute. And the little jockey on him would be a lot cuter, if she wasnt so serious!

Callie said...

Yay! Happy happy birthday!

Lori Skoog said...

This was a terrific post. Enjoyed all the photos and reading about your life. Happy Birthday.
Lori

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, and a terrific post. You are in great company as both my husband and mother were on the same weekend. I wish I could have been involved in horses at such a young age as you, but I'm trying to make up for it now.

I look forward to purusing the rest of you blog.

Sarah

Flying Lily said...

Happy Birthday, a little bit late! Hope you had a good horsey day.

Molly said...

I'm sorry I missed your day, but a big huggy happy birthday anyway.

Anonymous said...

Photogchic--I recently found your blog while foolin' around on my computer and have really enjoyed looking at it. I live in Texas and bought my AngloArab on my birthday in 2007. I am starting training for a competative trail riding
club that rides through Texas but really need to refocus on the basics and would love to start with the Parelli program and really get to know and understand my horse.I saw that you have been working on it and was hoping you have advice. When I went to the Parelli site I got very confused as to where to begin. The program setup has changed since I viewed my friends Parelli pack a few years ago. Any advice would be appreciated. I don't have a blog but you can view pics of me and Jackson http://www.myspace.com/mirandathetempest
Thanks!
~Mindy Walsh

Original L said...

Happy belated birthday! That is so cool how you had ponies when you were a kid, I was desperate for a pony. Hope you had a good day!

Rising Rainbow said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day.

photogchic said...

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone:-)

Strawberry Lane said...

What wonderful memories you have ... and great photos of a lucky girl and her ponies! Happy late Birthday!

EquineSpirit said...

Happy belated Birthday!! ((HUGS!!))

Topper looks EXACTLY like a pony I had when I was little...her name was Sugar. :)