How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

     How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? Please pardon the Sound of Music reference but much like the main character, Maria, in the movie, there is a filly at Fields Quarter Horses who is musical, lyrical, naive, and special. In the dense constellation of stars who live at our farm, Maria is bright and shining.

     Like many royal children, Maria entered the world with a certain sense of entitlement. She was just special and she knew it. Her parents, Zoe and Chevy, were great specimens with years and generations of Champion lineage. Wrapped into her tiny equine frame was the promise of greatness. As befitting a royal heir, she romped and flourished in the greenest pastures. She was protected and treasured. Her impish antics with the other foals in the pastures were a glimpse into her playful nature but when she was attending school with the humans, she was bright and intelligent. She vowed to comport herself with the manner befitting her regal breeding.

     One fateful day, as Maria approached 6 months old, the humans came to stand outside her stall. This was a usual occurence, all of the Chevy foals were accustommed to having visitors pet and regard them closely. But, this day was different. These dark haired humans (a male and female) seemed to look deeply into her soul. She thought to move away from them, but her feet seemed frozen. The female voice began to speak to her and she could not move away. The hands began to caress her entire body and a calmness settled over her like a veil- delicate and soft. Did she know this voice? Reason said not- but in the way which cannot be explained, her soul  responded as if it were familiar.

     Next, they brought her to a place she did not know and she was encouraged to play and romp. She agreed with the plan and since it seemed to please the humans, she enjoyed running and playing while they talked. Then, the dark man pulled her away from the others. Much the same as with the woman, she did not feel afraid. She felt protected and safe and stood quietly waiting with the man. He walked and she walked- he stopped and she stopped. This was nice. These people were nice and she liked being with them.

     The days passed and Maria soon learned that she would have a formal name- it would be Chevendipity. She also learned that she would soon be living with the dark haired people. This made her happy and she settled into waiting until they returned for her. She dreamt of life with them- of being a great show horse. Sometimes in life, we meet with our own destiny. In this case, we were spectators as we watched Maria meet her future owners. As clearly as the night sky on a summer evening, this filly belonged to them and they to her.

(This is the story of Maria- and her new owners Sandi and Eddie. They are the owners of Chevrolution "Chase". They met the sister to Chase just a few days after she was weaned. It was truly magical to watch the special connection which was formed between she and they. She was trusting and calm and we are excited that she will be joining them soon. For a link to video of one of their first meetings, please visit this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcO7GrlF6fE  . The other side of this story is quite unusual. Maria was not for sale until after Sandi and Eddie arrived in Kentucky. Sometimes we watch the stars line up into a perfect formation. This was one of those situations where everyone, everything just came into place at the perfect time.)