Our family has always had horses, so when I came along, I think I just rode with a grown-up.

When I was 5, Grandpa bought me a beautiful little black pony. I was quiet and gentle. She ate children for lunch. I ended up riding Grandpa's horse (see photo). He died suddenly when I was 11.

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Grandpa decided I needed a horse of my own. My cousin was running his 2-year-olds on our place, so Grandpa told me to spend the summer deciding which one I wanted. I chose the most beautiful horse in the whole, wide world. She was a grulla with a big star. She would leave all of the other horses to stay with me. We LOVED each other. Come the end of the summer, Grandpa said I couldn't have her because she had warts. I am still crushed. Therefore, a grulla QH is my dreamhorse.