Thursday, January 26th… Kristin is a third year student at UC Davis. Nights are spent working at a burger joint. During the summer Kristin works with her dad in the family landscaping business. Also in the summer, Kristin helps with our Tb Kids program.
It was two years ago when Kristin adopted Bling, a chestnut gelding with lots of white. I had found Bling at the feed lot in Wilton. Still with his racing shoes on, Bling was lame with a bowed tendon. The next day it was discovered Bling also had a fractured right ankle. At a boarding stable in Davis, Kristin did all the rehab. And now Bling moves like J.R. on that dancing show.
When we have a Tb Kids day there are 6 kids, with their parents. And 6 instructors. We keep it small and informal. Each kid spends time with each instructor. On a Saturday last July, 13 year old Anna and her mom came to visit. Anna’s mom asked if it was possible for Anna to spend time with a horse. We were right in the middle of a Tb Kids session. Anna and her mom could tell we were busy. They said sorry to bother you, we will try again on another day.
I said no big deal, come join us. Right off it was easy to see Anna had no horse experience. She stood on the wrong side of a horse when trying to halter him. I clearly remember what Anna said as she was next to the horse. Anna said: This is like standing next to a movie star.
We found out later Anna has loved horses since she was 3. Her bedroom walls are covered with horse pictures. She once found an old horse shoe in a field, and that shoe is on the table next to her bed. We also found out Anna and her mom are poor. They have very little. Anna has never had an opportunity to be with horses.
Anna had her picture taken with several of our horses. Anna and her mom didn’t have a computer, so my wife Cathy printed out those pictures and mailed them to Anna. We received a thank you card.
Last week, on a visit to Davis, I saw Kristen at a boarding ranch. We were in the parking area, next to her truck. Kristen says wait here with me, you can see Bling. Okay. From the barn came a young rider on top of Bling. I couldn’t see her face, helmet and all. I asked Kristin, who is riding your horse?
And then the rider and Bling were right next to us, and the rider said hi Joe. It was Anna. Twice a week Kristin picks Anna up after school and brings her to the barn. The two have been friends since that Saturday last July.
Kristin saved up money from the burger joint and bought Anna and her mom a computer. Kids at school were making fun of Anna because of the way she dresses. Anna had to wear old clothes from second hand stores. Kristen’s dad took Anna shopping and bought her new clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Kristen and her dad have been bringing groceries to Anna and her mom since last summer.
But most of all, you should see Anna handle a horse. Kristen says Anna has horse passion like no one she has ever met. Anna is 14 now, and she wants to earn money for her very own horse. In that parking lot Anna tells me, someday I’m getting a thoroughbred from you.
As busy as Kristen is, with college and work, to take the time to change a young girl’s life. That day in Davis last week, seeing Bling, Kristen, and Anna. That was one of the best days I’ve ever had.
Kristen tells me the old horse shoe found in a field years ago, still sits on the table next to Anna’s bed. There is a picture frame, with a photo of Anna and our gelding Starspell. From a Saturday last July. A spur of the moment visit during a Tb Kids day. Pretty cool the way life turns out…
Joe