The horses in my life

I spent some time today going through some old photos and came across some old friends of mine that, while not forgotten, had been put away in the memory filing cabinet.

Today I revisited these old friends and the memories that came with them.

First off, let me introduce you to Tanya. Now why she was called this I have no idea. Tanya was part arab, part stock horse and she taught me many things about what to do and more importantly, what not to do around horses.

She certainly was a very interesting young lady to learn to ride on and she certainly was no beginners ride!

If Tanya was having a bad hair day then you better watch out. My riding instructor at the time had a lot of fun teaching both Tanya and I.

After going as far as I could with Tanya it was time to find her someone who could cope with er antics. I wasnt to know that into my life would come a horse that would become part of my life, my old friend, McGillacuddy (or better known as Gilbert to all his friends).


What an old gentleman he was! Gilbert was 20, a chestnut thoroughbred who I heard was a B Grade Showjumper after his racing career. When I got Gilbert, he became my schoolmaster and more importantly, my friend.

I learnst so much with Gilbert. He took me to a few dressage shows and did us both proud.

What a sweet boy. I had Gil until he was about 24 and by then infirmed by age. Ill never forget how many tears I cried that day and for many days after that.

After Gilbert passed away I never thought that I would meet another horse who was as quiet and as sweet; however I was to be proved wrong when Jessie came into my life.

Jess was of no particular breed and was found out the back of an old property not doing so well in the Campbelltown (NSW) area.

After some love and attention, he soon came good I was so lucky to have found him at that time.

Ah, what wonderful times Jess and I had, carefree riding around the place, over hill and dale, jumping old logs and cantering up mountains. What a sweet, sweet boy he was. I think it was because of him that horses really became a part of my life; we were inseparable.

As things happen and we grow up, I had to let Jess go as I was not giving him the time that he deserved and donated him to the Riding for Disable Group down at Kiama where I was told he gave lots of love to lots of little kids who grew to love him as much as I did. Jess was a special boy and I loved him deeply.