Growing Up Wendy

There is a red roan Chevy filly and her name is Wendy. She was born at the farm 2 years ago and was the first roan foal Chevy produced. As if that were not special enough, her mother was my last show horse Please Glow Slow and a remarkable individual herself. From the beginning, Wendy was a unique foal. Her dam, Nikki, could be hard to catch in large pastures but Wendy loved people. When it was time to come to the barn for the evening, Wendy would wait at the gate for us while her mother snorted her disdai, tossed her head, and begged the foal to follow her deep into the woods. Wendy spent hours waiting at the gate for people to come visit and found her favorite time was spent in the barn where she was nearest to us.

Wendy experienced the usual trials and tribulations of any teenage horse. When she heard that she may be sold, she even made an attempt on her life. She belonged at the farm and was determined that she would never leave.  In the Summertime, she enjoyed the children who visited for day camp. In the Fall and Winter, she looked forward to treats which the lesson students would bring her. In this manner, days and months passed and Wendy grew up.

Recently, Gary and Amber decided that it was time for her to begin school. She attended lessons most days in "How to be an obedient horse" and "You are grown up, now let's find you a job". She was a great student and soon matriculated to a higher stage of learning called "Now that you are 2 years old, you can carry a rider".  And today, Wendy graduated from that class as well. She had her first independent ride with Amber. She walked, turned, bent her head softly to the bit, stopped on cue, and looked quite grown up doing these things.

For those of you who have met Wendy, you understand her sweet unassuming nature and will rejoice with me that she is one step closer to filling her mother's shoes as my next show horse. A surge of happiness fills me as I realize that the tiny little furry bundle of horse who was born in my arms two short years ago is now grown up. Wendy is embarking on the next step of her future as she becomes a show horse and learns the intricate language spoken between horse and rider. I'm just pleased- given her propensity for accidents- that she grew up!