My Story
I was raised on a horse farm in what was at the time rural Ohio.
In the '50's and 60's my parents operated a public riding and lesson stable, boarded horses, and raised and showed registered stock. In the early 60's the focus of the stable switched to registered Appaloosas. I grew up handling, riding, training & showing a variety of horse and pony personalities of many breeds. By the late 60's the public riding was shut down.
In my teenage years I showed both 4H and Central Ohio Saddle Club Association shows, competing in barrel racing and other contest classes, trail classes, western and english pleasure, road hack, western equitation, and showmanship and halter classes. I also had several of my own lesson clients. I was responsible for halter breaking foals and starting 2 and 3 year olds under saddle. At that stage of my life, I was game to climb on almost anything... and many times I body-surfed the turf or made other unscheduled dismounts. In my family, "grabbing leather" was a sin, and you were always taught to get up and get back on.
In 1988 I purchased my registered Morgan mare, Wynnesong, and embarked on her training and her career in field trials and competitive distance riding. In our early years together she also competed with me in team penning. In 1993, with the help of a professional coach, Wynne was trained to drive. (Brookshire Farm Morgans)
By 1996 Wynne & I successfully completed the competitive distance miles required to earn her Bronze Medallion from the American Morgan Horse Association. (For those of you not familiar with the association's medallion program, this is equivalent to the Register of Merit awarded by the Quarter Horse and Paint Horse associations). Competitive distance riding's motto is "To Finish Is To Win" and in her CTR career Wynne never failed to complete a ride, and seldom finished out of the top 10 placings. In addition, in 6 rides she received a "High Point Morgan" award from the national association.
In Memoriam
March 21, 1985 - April 20, 2009
A piece of my heart & the center of my universe has gone to heaven.
FreeSpirit Farm was purchased and established in 1998. I had hopes of continuing to compete in competitive trail rides and possibly to fit and train endurance and competitive distance horses for others.
In late 1999, odd and persistant medical problems forced me into extensive testing. MS was suspected, but thankfully ruled out. Instead, I was diagnosed with degenerative bone disease. By 2001, further testing discovered 3 extensively herniated cervical discs. I was warned that my spinal cord was severely compromised and that I was at high risk for paralysis. I was warned against riding. Heck, I was warned against driving, or walking up or down stairs! With my typical denial that I was anything less than invincible, I delayed surgery until January 2003.
Recovery was anticipated to be 10 weeks. Because of my bone disease I had difficulty healing correctly. Initial recovery stretched to 11 months, and in the end I have never completely regained my strength, and I have more pain than I started out with. Horseback riding, once an exhilarating experience for me, is now a painful experience. In 2006, recurring and persistent pain led to more MRI and CT scans, and additional surgery is recommended, although I was told I am not at risk like I was the last time. I have decided against further surgery and my current state of denial can probably last at least another year...
Wynnesong is a very strong, bold-going horse and hitching and driving her is no longer an option for me. My Ara-App gelding is very smooth and easy on my arms, but can be unpredictable and I no longer feel the confidence in my body to "stay with that first jump." He has also shown some chronic lameness problems.
In 2004 I decided to return to my passion for ponies and my childhood love of driving them. The Dunster is my current shining success and has earned himself a forever home at FreeSpirit Farm. Wynne and Mr. Gus are retired to pasture as expensive landscape ornaments.
FreeSpirit Farm's new endeavors are focused on the pony market. I will take in, fit and/or train ponies for resale, but I prefer to merely network with other folks to help them find the right pony for their needs, or the right new owner for their pony.
Update Fall 2008 - Spring 2009. Starting to feel stronger, and Wynne & I are making short rides together around the neighboring farm. She is still as cranked up and rearing to go as ever. I decided that 2009 will be the year that I try to ride more, and get Wynne back in shape. Maybe even work up to a short competitive ride? April 20, 2009... my future dreams and my universe have crashed around me, with the sudden death of my beloved Wynnesong.
Be sure to stop back often to check for updates to my pages.
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