About Me
I have been riding since the tender age of 5/6ish. According to my mother, other than "Mama" - "horse" was one of my 1st words. I was a bit of a spoiled child, known around the stable (Parkview Riding Academy, Islip NY) as "the little princess". I was riding for a few years when I read the book, "Summer Pony"- a book where the little girl's parents leased her a pony for the Summer, of course at the end of the Summer the pony was given to her as a surprise. That next year, my mom obliged my non-stop, whining pleads and rented me a pony for the Summer, that pony was 'Michael'- a little white & gray flea bitten Arabian pony. Boy did I love that pony, so you can imagine my heart break when he did NOT become mine at the end of the Summer. Michael went back to his farm, all I have are great memories, 7 blue ribbons and tons of pictures to remember him. I guess my mom knew I wasn't quite ready yet.
I continued to ride, and Parkview got this shabby, chubby, bay colored 3 yr old Arabian/Thoroughbred cross mare (an anglo-arab). I began riding her, and my instructor at the time, John, told my mom that it was "an omen that I ride her"- when my mother asked why, he told her the pony's name was 'Princess'- an omen. It was about February of 85 when I began riding her, and with her long unkempt winter coat nobody but me saw the pony she was beneath it all. It was without a doubt love at 1st sight. I rode Princess all year long, learning how to train her, we learned a lot of stuff together. I was 9, she was 3 and very green. My birthday was coming, and all I wanted was Princess. I wished and wished and wished that the pony would be mine. On the day of my 10th birthday I went for my lesson, and as I signed in they asked who I was riding, surprised at the question because I had only ridden Princess for over 1 year! "I'm sorry sweetie, you cannot ride Princess today we sold her." I held back my tears as I asked to ride the only other horse I could think of, "I'll ride Roni then I guess," and walked out to the waiting area. As I stood there waiting (and crying) the barn doors opened and there was Princess, big red bow around her neck with a heart that said "Happy birthday Heather" I began to sob uncontrollably. Princess was mine. I named her' A Dream Come True'-
Princess and I rode in the Hampton Classic in 1986, placing in every single class I was entered in the top 4 each time. The years flew, and so did our ribbon collection. Then, as I was about to graduate High School my Mom sold Princess, so I could go to college. I rode sporadically after that. Then in college I was on the equestrian team for LIU CW Post Brookville. Placing in every collegiate show I was in. I just missed my pony. I loved riding, but it wasn't the same. I am still looking to find out where she ended up, but so far no luck.
After college I got married, had a son. Before I knew it 9 years had passed without a moment in the saddle. February 2008 I got a wild hair across my butt, went online and found a nearby stable. I saw 1 horse on the website that was an arab, looked like my Princess only with painted marks- her name was Princess. That was my sign. I called the stable, Lucky 7 Stables, and went there about 2 hours later. Princess was a bit smaller than I'd hoped, so I began looking at other horses. Nothing struck me. Not until I notices a sorrel paint sort of following me around, my son rubbed his nose (which I later found out was odd, as he was abused and was head shy) as we walked away he followed. Needless to say, I bought him that day. So after 10 years of being out of the game, not only was I back in saddle, but I was, for the 1st time in my adult life, a horse owner.
I took on a lot, and it was worth it. Razzle Dazzle was his name, which I hated, 1st he is boy, 2nd all I could think of was that machine that puts studs on stuff- the Bedazzler- but since he responds so well to 'Razz' I re-named him 'Razzcal'. Born 3/23/00, this sorrel overo apha paint 'Sonsational Dancy'- 'Razzcal' as he is now known. This past year with Razz has been so incredible, he is my best friend. He's my pleasure horse. He is not a big fan of showing, I tried, and I won't put an animal through something he doesn't like. So, for my birthday this year, I got myself a 2nd horse, a yearling, 1/2 arab, 1/2 percheron, and ironically, he is 'Princess's 1st foal, Lucky 7's 1st foal, another omen- 'Midnight Rendezvous' aka 'Dolce' (Italian for 'sweet'). Dolce is going to be my show horse.
So, here I am, training my very 1st yearling from scratch- and I have high hopes that him & I will go far- I plan on doing the big show circuits with him. I will carry out my childhood dream of being a professional rider- and hopefully make it to Madison Square Garden, where my instructor Linda Prisco-Panetta, hoped I'd make it there. I hope to use the knowledge she gave me, coupled with what I have learned as an adult rider, I will make a name for myself, my barn, and finally fulfill lifelong dream.
Wish me luck & please share any tips, tricks & stories with me!!
English
Hunter / Jumper
Eventing
Western
Pleasure
Trail
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