Since I was in my late teens, I have always felt I lived two different lives – two very different lives that I love so very much. Perhaps their differences is what keeps me whole, but whatever it is, I feel blessed to enjoy my life the way I do.
The glue that binds. That is what the American Saddlebred Horse and industry is to many. This is true of four friends that met over 35 years ago, because of their love of the American Saddlebred. Cathy Coniglio, Heidi Price Zerivitz, Ellen Olgetree Brooks and myself are these four women. Each of us has had our own journey in the Saddlebred industry and our own journey in life, but remain close friends.
A labor of love! That is what everyone should know when it comes to Michele Macfarlane and the tireless efforts she puts in to presenting the American Saddlebreds in the Tournament of Roses parade, on a yearly basis. I was so excited and honored that she wanted me to be a part of this year’s group, and as you can imagine, I had great expectations of what it would be like.
Gidget was always breaking my heart. In 2009, after joining the Army, I used my military sign on bonus to buy Gidget. I was 22 years old and Gidget was only 3; I guess I thought we could figure out this “growing up” thing together.
The World's Championship Horse Show has been over for a few weeks now, but the feelings I got when my name was called out as the unanimous winner of my class are still with me. The week leading up to the Fair and the week of the Fair were extremely crazy for me. During those two weeks I learned a lot about myself as a person and as a rider because I had to balance moving into college in Florida and showing at the World's Championship Horse Show!