I love horses. It started back in 1971 when a photographer with a pony showed up on my parents’ front porch and I got a picture with the pony. I was hooked. I think I had a dozen of those Breyer horse statues. Remember them? Here’s one I had – Black Beauty.
I also got Secretariat:
I then begged for lessons and got to spend several Saturday mornings at the local stables. It was no accident I became an animal science major.
I remember riding with my Dad at Mammoth Mountain on one of our annual vacations. He loved drama and fretted about a clamber down a mild hill. Dad, all is good – you are doing just fine!
In college I mucked out stalls for lessons, and I earned internship credits by working on a quarter-horse ranch, helping to breed horses and halter-break the foals. Those were some amazing memories.
My brother and I went on some great vacations when we were both single. I used to head to Washington State where he lived and drag him all over the Northwest. Fun fact: during one of our trips we went on a great trail ride in Eastern Washington, and I was told my horse was the one Kevin Costner rode in the movie “The Untouchables.”
I always envisioned owning a horse someday – whether I was going to retire on a bit of property with room for a few horses, or spend money locally to get a horse stabled in Palos Verdes, it was something I always wanted. But I let the dream die.
Thankfully, Peter kept telling me to find my passions and take care of me, and I finally listened. A few years ago I booked a trail ride and fell back in love with horses. Since then I am riding monthly and have bonded with a few of the horse friends I have gotten to know.
I went to Alaska in 2019 and during my ramblings around Denali, I met Bowser. He was big and calm and his claim to fame is that he killed a bear who made the mistake of entering a paddock and started to harass a goat buddy of Bowser. During our ride, Mount Denali showed up, which is a highlight – only 30% of tourists actually see the mountain.
Meet Henry – he is very tall, dark and handsome, and a fun companion on the trails. Riding on the Palos Verdes Peninsula I have discovered many tucked-away trails that led me through residential areas that I never knew existed. It’s fun to see goats, mules, alpacas and other animals that one wouldn’t normally see in urban Los Angeles. And the homes are gorgeous.
I was so jealous when my brother and I went back to Ohio as kids to spend time with our cousins. Dave went to horse camp with cousin Mark. I, the passionate horse lover, didn’t. But I survived, and Dave and I had some fun sibling adventures in later years. On this trip around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Dave is riding Big John, and I’m on Pancho, who was a hoot. He would suddenly break out in a run and I was okay with that.
I went to Ireland in 2022 and the BEST part of my trip was a horse ride in the Killarney National Park. It was a drizzly day but the scenery was stunning. The horse was a huge Irish Cob named Bronna. The trail ride was two guides and me and our horses. I was smiling the entire time. We saw the occasional deer and the scenery was stunning.
I love Gus. He’s one of my regular rides at the PV stables. Calm, fun and ready to hit the trails and make the ride enjoyable. And my friend Mary has been fun to spend time with as well.
I am grateful to Peter for reminding me to focus on what I love and take time for me. It’s been great fun and I am looking forward to the next ride.
Note: Don’t let your dreams die. If there is anything lurking in the dusty corners of your past that you miss., dust them off and bring them back. It’s worth it.
Musings About Life 
Beautiful pictures! Glad to read that you “found back” to horse-riding. We all should start doing things which we love from the bottm of our hearts!
Have a great time!
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