I don't even know where to start. Shy's Fancy Breeze is his real name, and this guy has been through literally HALF of my life with me. I've had him since he was two....that's 13 years folks.
To give you a little run down, that means he's been through:
1.) My teenage years (big stuff I tell ya)
2.) Moved with me to college at Purdue University
3.) Then out to Arizona
4.) Then up here to Washington
He's been there for the good times and the bad, the happy and the sad. And while some days working with him is a challenge, the one thing he always does for me is try.
My old trainer used to tell me that he and I were two-of-a-kind. We are both mischievous, but perfectionists. Each day working together is different, and we continue to keep each other on our toes!
There are so many stories from my life that he's a part of...some truly special and very funny moments indeed (I'll tell some of these from time-to-time, you can be sure). I've learned so much from him, and vice versa. When parts of my life have felt like they were falling apart, I always knew that I could count on him to bring me back to solid ground and give me peace.
Shit....I'm tearing up just writing this. Happy tears though, I promise.
Which makes the following even harder to say. I've decided, after much contemplation, that this show season will be the last for my beloved boy. I have every intention of letting him live out his days in peace, with all the comforts of getting to be a "real horse." (For those of you not in the horse show world, this means I will be taking him out of training after the fall and finding a nice big pasture with some other horse pals for Shy to call his new home.)
At this point, I do not have any intention of selling him, just retiring him. The main reason, aside from his comfort, for the above decision, is for me to be able to continue developing myself as a competitive rider. So, after this show season, I will be taking a break from having a horse in training for about a year to save up some money for my next big purchase =).
AND OF COURSE I WILL STILL BE RIDING IN THE INTERIM. I would go nuts otherwise!
But enough about me...this day is for my big boy. I had a wonderful ride on him this morning, and as a birthday treat he got a nice big apple and a couple big carrots afterward.
Some fun facts about Shy's Fancy Breeze (aka Shy Guy):
1.) As a baby his nickname was Woody (and I still call him this sometimes when he's being a pill!).
2.) Underneath his coat he's actually roan-skinned and has a fairly rare roan stocking on his right hind leg.
3.) His background comes from two great Quarter Horses, Doc Bar and Impressive.
4.) He is N/N (negative) for the HYPP gene.
5.) His favorite spot to be scratched is on the under-side of his neck, and right along his mane.
6.) He has a fascination for shiny things, and has been known to pick up many a plastic bottle or shiny pop can.
7.) Did I mention he likes beer?
Here's to my best friend....may the next 15 years be just as happy =).
Song of the day: "Heaven's on Fire" The Radio Dept. (cause it's a happy song...and if Shy could talk I think he would want to destroy the bogus capitalist process too hehe!)
1 comment:
He's beautiful!
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