Once You Go Big

Like so many other horse crazy little girls,
I once dreamed of owning this
(Zarife El Mansour).

Over the years, my head was turned
by the likes of this (A Special Clu)

and this (Hollywood Dun It).

Then real life happened,
and I got Poco and Jaz,
neither of which were "my type."
Poco may not be much to look at
to the rest of the world
(I, of course, think he's gorgeous)
but he's a super cushy ride.

And then I met this guy (Annandale's Love Story).

Love Story, a Tigre Horse, and a big boy,
was a guest at Heather's for awhile.
This is a painting of him.
Yes, he is all that.
He's still one of the most
beautiful animals I've ever met.

I watched this guy
(Rohrschachs Slow Burn aka Scorch) be born.
I've had tons of interaction with him,
including being the first person to sit on him.
He stayed here last winter
as a 2-year old stallion
and was as easy to handle as Jaz.
He is what really started to turn me
toward the draft crosses.

I'm not a mare person,
but here's Scorch's half sister (Jinxed Diva).
Sweet from the moment she hit the ground.

Scorch's full brother
(Rohrschach Hextatic aka Rico)
is every bit as docile
and beautiful
as the previous two.

They're not just pretty faces either.
They practically float.

And then there's O (Sugarbush Harleys Classic O)
who found a place in my heart
because his temperament and way of going
are so like Poco's.

We were sitting around after our Labor Day ride,
talking about — what else — and I heard myself say,
"Jaz is great, but I'll never own another Arabian,
or another light (as in weight) horse, for that matter."

Yes, it's true.
I'm sold on the draft crosses.
They are not too tall,
and have that strong, substantial build
I have come to love.
Their temperaments are to die for.
I've met very few
(and they've all been mares)
that weren't totally sweet.

O's son (O Stop Looking aka Streaker Daltrey)
that also carries Sig's amazing
Knightcreek Appaloosa bloodlines?

I didn't stand a chance.