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Maybe add pearl if you have enough.

Updated!

I had always liked horses, but was never able to have any (since I had grown up in an apartment). A couple months ago I had NEVER rode a horse by myself, and I had still been a little leery about riding them, but I was invited to go on a vacation with my half sister and she brought along a couple horses. (One full Arabian named majesty, one quarter horse/Arabian named shepherd, and another quarter horse/Arabian named zeppelin) heck, I didn't even have my own cowboy boots! (Or the money to go buy my own, for that matter! Those things are spendy) After trying on my sisters and moms boots, to no avail, I jumped up on the qh/Arabian named shepherd and they led me around a bit till I got used to him. After some riding around camp, I made my way down to the beach and rode in the dunes for quite a while. All of my fears about horses washed away, and I had fallen in love with this beautiful horse. (Ill post some pics in a little bit!) not only did that happen, but (my sisters) mother offered my a spot at her local rodeo bible camp that was just two days away. I agreed! (They taught cowboy skills, barrel racing, shoot dogging, steer rustling, etc. I picked barrel racing!) I had went from being slightly scared of horses and NEVER riding them by myself to BARREL RACING in just five days. (I even trotted for the first time and cantered!) that was honestly one of the best experiences that I've EVER had in my entire life, and I'm so glad that I went!

(I sadly didn't win, but hey. This was the first time that not only I performed in rodeo, but the horse as well. I was so proud of shepherd and all of my team mates that worked really hard!)

And now because of that event, I think I found the career that I want to go into. I really want to go and perform in more rodeos on my sisters horse, and hopefully once I get enough experience and money, ill wanna buy my own shire horse and become a trainer!

Thank you so much for doing this, it is so generous of you. ❤

Whoa, you got me in my feels... I'm not even sure how to start off, but here goes nothing.

I was 13 at the time and living in a small town that not too many were familiar with, but those who lived there knew everyone and those who didn't quickly became friends. My families roots run deep in that little town and at the time, horses and anything involving them were a huge part of everyday life (you can think Chuck wagons and ropers ;) wanna guess what state I'm in). Every Sunday my family and others like mine would meet at a common spot and we'd all go on trail rides. I'm talking tons of people, horses, wagons, music; it was great. One Sunday didn't turn out like all the others unfortunately. You see, my great grandpa usually led the line and decided where we were to turn since he started the tradition so many years ago. That day, he decided to take up the rear and let his horse poke around. Buddy was getting up in age, as was he, and he thought it would be better to let him rest. That was the last trail ride they went on together. A car unfamiliar with the roads (and our tradition) came around a sharp turn and hit my great grandpa and Buddy. The horse didn't make it, thankfully my grandpa did. He was devastated and as was I. Buddy, being the horse I learned to ride on as a little girl, was also the first horse my great grandpa had trained. I made a vow to myself to never get on another horse again. I was the only one aware of the vow, but it certainly meant something to me. After the accident, life went on, and the trail rides continued; for everyone but myself and my grandpa. After a few months, I realized that my grandpa was sad; he wasnt myself; he was loosing weight, sickly looking, and never smiled. I talked to my dad and told him what I had been seeing and quickly learned a new word, depression and all about what it meant.

**I'm sorry this is so long, I wasn't sure how to make it short. I tend to ramble when I'm reminiscing.**

I wasn't sure how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to put my sadness and fears aside and help my grandpa. What can a 13 year old though? I can cut jokes and try to give him the opportunity to smile, but I knew that wouldn't be enough. So after speaking to my parents, they allowed me to work through summer for them and others to save up my money. When the time was right, my dad made a phone call to our farrier. We made a trip out to his place and standing there before me, was a 2 year old Bay who brought tears to my eyes. I quickly looked at my dad and told him that was the horse I wanted. That's the horse I'm going to train for my grandpa. I turned to Larry, the farrier, and I asked him "how much are you asking for this gelding?" Trying as hard as I could be to be an adult (even though my fingers were crossed behind my back that I had enough money). Larry looked at me and looked back at the horse, "I think I could take $600 for him." "SOLD!" I shouted with pure delight. It was surely meant to be, that's exactly how much money I had with me. As I load my grandpa's brand new horse in the trailer, my mom cried and my dad shook his head with an approving smile.

Side note: I spent the $600 I earned that summer. My dad spoke with our farrier after telling him how much I've made and reassured him he would pay whatever the remaining amount was. I cried when I found out several years later.

The months go by and the seasons change. I grow stronger, wiser, and find myself not near as sad. Budro, aka buddy 2.0, was helping. With the help of the local cowboys, my dad, and family friends; I was training in training and Budro was ready to meet his new owner!

Sunday rolls around and we load up for our trail ride, but guess who was the lead? Brudo and I, that's who. With my head held high, I look back to the rest of the people and smile. They know where we're headed, but I couldn't help wonder if they were nervous as I was. I turn around, bend down, pat Budro softly, and off we go.

With a few hiccups from Burdo, still being green, we make it to the drive way, and I make my way down. Halfway through, I realize I'm the only one making this small milestone. I take a deep breath, shaking, and off we go again. After what seems like hours, I make it to the front yard and position myself in direct view of my grandpa's hard wooden door, and I start calling his name.

This is it! The door is opening and here I am sitting on top of my grandpa's new horse, that he has zero idea about. He looks at me, he looks at the horse, and slowly walks out. Once he's close he enough, he brings me to tears. "Buddy? Bud." His voice whispered. (Mind you, his in his mid to late 70s, but still has his spunk.)

I started crying and hopped down, telling him all about my almost year long journey and how much it's helped me cope with the loss of Buddy and hoped that it too could help him.

Budro is happily grazing in his pasture getting apples as often as possible and enjoying his life as a pasture pet! My great grandfather is now in a better place running free with the wild horses.

I'm happy to say he was able to participate in many more trail rides being the lead beside me.
Even at such a young age, helping someone dear to me, unknowingly helped me through my hard time coping with the loss of a beloved family member and underline fear of trail rides.

Sorry again for such a long post! Even though I'm late on this post and I didn't win, I'm so happy I was given the opportunity to share this with you and anyone else who took the time to read. Thanks guys!

PS. Hates off to the ones that were able to over come a hard experience and time in y'all's lives!

I have a story, but I don't need the ponies, so I didn't post.

Thank you for entering. I can definitely relate to your stories!
Thank you @MariaChapinFarm3 for the pictures and keep pushing forward, that's what's it's all about! Sounds like me when I started showing.
@horsey2 I use to raise and show guinea pigs, so knowing how to let was part of that. I had broke my leg (horse accident), and while I was in the hospital I got word that a couple of my sows had died, I cried and cried. The little candystripe girl told me that they were just animals and couldn't understand why I was crying. Some just don't get it!
@RocknSStables what a lovely story! What a blessing you were to your grandfather and an inspiration to those around you! Thank you for sharing! You will be getting the two horses congratulations! I will add you to my chat and put the two in there for when you are ready.

I'm ready whenever you are :)