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I love the mental challenges my 14 year old mare (I've had her all her life)
gives me. She, like Champagne, tests me every time. That is why we've
developed the bond and respect we have for each other. One factor my friend,
Darlene Anderson (Pat Blonshine's daughter), and I have noted among riders
is that if you have grown up on the back of a horse, broke and trained your
own and spent a lifetime with them, the bond is more deeply rooted. The
"newbies" simply don't have the sense of what it takes to work with a horse
long enough to develop that mutual respect and trust with the horse. So
often I see my peers with a different horse every year - trying another one
out. Every horse is a project horse, and every horse is the product of what
we instill in them. Too many people want push-button, obedient horses. There
is no flexibility to allow the animal to express its own character. What I
want is respect as herd leader; once that is determined the rest follows.
Arlene is my inspiration. Life isn't worth much if you're not testing your
abilities and experiencing all that is offered. Not only am I inspired by the
fact that Arlene is still riding and competing at age 65, but also because of
the attitude in which she goes about it. Here's a woman that doesn't have to
"toot her own horn" she just goes out and does it. I admire her immensely.
Thanks, Arlene, for being the role model more of us should aspire to be.
Joyce Kellenberger
Arlington, WA
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