One decade

Photo by Jaclyn Fox Photography July  2019

10 years ago July 2009

July 2009.

My dear friend/mentor/second mother Susie calls me and asks if I know anyone who might want a 2 year old colt. Sort-of handled. At the time I had just sold my Morgan, and was financially destitute because I was forced to take one week furloughs every quarter at the time. #yayjournalism

I really had no business owning a horse.

So I said I would come and look at the horse.

And I did.

Just turned 2. 

He was at the end of the aisle. We made eye contact I knew immediately he was smart. He checked me out just as I checked him out. And he let me run my hands all over him, watching everything I did. I knew he wasn't handled all that well, but he was thoughtful, not over reactive and had a kind eye. I remembered him as I had foaled him out when I was working for Susie in 2007. But 52 foals were born on the farm that year and he was just another one to me then.

We let him run around a bit in the arena. His movement was nothing special. He was goose-rumped with a short neck. He bucked a few times.

First day wearing a saddle.

He cantered right back over to me and stood to be caught. Dammit.

I asked for a price, Susie said "Well, I'd like to get $500 for him."

I said I would sleep on it. And Susie cracked a smile. She knew.

First time with a rider on his back.

A few days later she and another friend dropped him off.

I knew right away I could get him started and make a well-rounded citizen out of him. And then my plan was to sell him. He was incredibly easy to start under saddle. In fact he was quite pleasant to ride straight away. Hmm, ok maybe I'll keep him another year and maybe with more training and I can ask more for him.

So I did.

First time trotting under saddle. Oh dear god look at us.

The more miles and training I put into him, the better he got. He had his green moments but rather quickly turned into a reliable solid citizen I could do just about anything with.

I kept asking a little more of him and he kept saying "Yep, ok." This continued on bit by bit until suddenly I had an FEI dressage horse with a long list of awards and accomplishments, a solid veteran trail horse that goes over, under, through anything, a smooth and adorable jumper that packs around BN novice height no problem, he will give pony rides to beginners, he packs around friends, he teaches others dressage movements, self loads in a trailer, trailers to new places and works his tail off for me without question, gives confidence to green horses, ponies other horses, rides bareback in a halter, and enjoys back scratches with the pitchfork when you clean his stall at shows. He also awkwardly loves his sheath cleaned.

In case you think he is perfect, let's not forget he needs drugs for the farrier, will NOT permit any sort of clipping of his ears or bridlepath and has picked up cribbing for fun. Also he has a weird phobia and obsession of mini horses and donkeys.

3 years old. 

Don't get me wrong, he has made me work for it and be a better rider.

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He can certainly be tricky and snarky at times.

And he LOVES to be filthy.

But he makes me happy.

TEN YEARS. A DECADE!

What a ride it's been. I've been around horses long enough to know that horses like Hampton don't come around often. I once told Susie that I wish I could clone him. I'm glad I got the chance to thank her for what she basically gave me. It was far more than a horse.

3 years old. I love this photo of him.

I know Hampton isn't fancy by dressage standards. But that's not what makes a good horse.

He is a good horse. A good riding horse, a good buddy. A heck of a teacher.

A good friend.

Happy ten years together Hampton! Way to outlast every boyfriend I've ever had. hahahaha

One of my proudest moments.