My turn to tell a story........... Frying bacon today in my own mothers old frying pan, with the fragrant smell throughout my home, brings back so many sweet memories of my parents and family today. Its hard to believe it is 2015! New Years Day, in my family home, in Arcadia, CA, years ago, was so comforting and enjoyable. We would always watch the Rose Parade on the tube, or go to the parade as a family. I so remember when I was about 4 years old, the same year my father regretted putting me on my first pony ride at Santa Anita Stables in Arcadia, (regretted, only because he would be paying more than that 25 cents, for the next 14 years, through my junior years for horses, lessons, and horse shows) we attended the Rose Parade and back then, circa 1958, it was customary to go to the back lot and visit with the equestrians that had ridden in the parade. My most striking image, as I dragged my mother to him, was, an older man in his parade suit with his Palomino Saddlebred, (we didnt know it was a saddlebred back then, nor did we know I would have a successful junior show career with Saddlebreds, nor did we know that I would be that jockey riding in the Rose Parade someday), untacking his mount, with all the huge silver saddle and tack, and those long silver hooves of his mount. What an impact this made on me, and the man was so gracious and accommodating to a mother and her little horse crazy youngster. I wish I knew who he and his horse were. But it was only part of the beginning of a lifelong career with horses and my love of the sport. My sister and brothers rode horses a little bit but I went crazy with them, asking for plastic and glass horses every year for Christmas and birthdays, and the first year I got my first Saddlebred in 1965, The Baron, (Dainty Star). And training with Mary Gatti, all those years, and showing on the open A circuit, with Bay Victory!!! And now, my own daughter, Kelli Windsor, an excellent hunter/jumper jockey and dedicated horsewoman, is enjoying he equine love of the sport herself. I am so proud of you Kelli!!! Thank you to my parents, who have left this world as we know it, but their unconditional love and support will never leave me, the opportunities they gave me to grab, their warmth and comfort, and their never ending loving memories that will be with me until I meet with them again in the next life!!!!!
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 23:26:51 +0000
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