I bought my first horse when I was 60 years old. I just decided it was something I was going to do. In 2015, I lost my brother and my niece three months apart, and that September I decided I was going to buy my first horse. I was grieving my brother and my niece, my mother had Alzheimer’s and my dad had passed away in 2011 so that left me with my mom and all her health issues by myself, and I needed an outlet. That started my adventure with “Scarlet.” With her, I learned to sit in a saddle and all kinds of lessons until one day, she bolted out from under me and I dislocated my shoulder, broke ribs and broke my hand. I was 64. That tragedy sparked a blazing fear of riding for me.
That day was a Tuesday, I was about to ride out of the arena, and no one knows why, but she bolted. It was oh my gosh, I am going to die! I was down and out quite a long time. My doctor told me I could ride again when I could saddle my own horse. Through it all I was trying to decide what I was going to do because the thought of getting back on that horse, I just knew I couldn’t do it. I wanted to ride; I wanted to do, but I shook with fear every time I thought about getting on Scarlet. So, I bought the horse I call “Linda.” Riding was my passion and I felt I needed to try again. It was the thing that kept me sane. It had been right at 8 months since I came off Scarlet; I was 64 years old and starting all over again.
My first horse show experience, I was scared to death! I started going to shows but I entered and scratched more than I showed. Fear is a confidence killer. I was the woman that didn’t lope her horse, that’s how it was, and everybody knew that. It was then I started connecting with Coach Shannon Pigott. She was always there, always encouraging. Five strides at a time, we got to work on loping. I was still scared to death to do it and it was uncomfortable, but I had to do it because Shannon believed I could. If Shannon believed I could, then why didn’t I believe I could?
It took a while, but in September of 2023, I realized I have a bad ass woman in me that must come out! The confidence came and the fear went away. Pride is not a good word, but it is a prideful moment when you are in the arena and accomplish a class or maneuver you’ve never been able to do, or you’ve done it better than you were previously able. Those are the moments where the heart swells and adrenaline rushes, and it moves you forward to the next time. You become a horse junkie—you’ve got to have it!
I don’t ever intend to settle. That horse life is what keeps me a young 68 year old and allows me to continue to have a purpose. I continue to learn new things! Always strive within yourself to be better than you are right now!
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