As a little girl, I was fascinated with horses. I didn’t have much experience around them, other than a couple of trail rides in Forest Park in Queens, NY where I grew up. My mother and some of our friends would take us children on field trips to the famous Belmont Racetrack during their annual horse shows. We would get a chance to meet champion race horses and get a glimpse into that exciting, competitive side of the horse world. I marveled at the silky, shiny coats of these beautiful animals, admired the colors and outfits of the jockeys, and then would stock up on the free posters of these horses to decorate my bedroom wall when I got home. Like lots of young girls, I loved horse books and stories of these majestic creatures and the affectionate relationships they shared with their owners. So, it has been nothing short of a dream come true to have gotten a chance to be around horses quite a bit the last few years. Kate is growing into a skilled little rider while I look on (my riding experience does not go past the very basics), and we have loved the chance to bond deeply with our sweet mare, Spirit. Middle Tennessee being part of true horse country allows us locals lots of opportunity to peek into this exciting sub-culture of cowboys and cowgirls, competitive riding, horse training, and all that comes with it. Especially if you are from out of town and have never been to a true rodeo, check out the annual Franklin Rodeo in the Spring. It’s been a few years since I’ve attended that one, but it is always lots of fun. Just one of the many things I love about living here!
As a little girl, I was fascinated with horses. I didn’t have much experience around them, other than a couple of trail …
