Horses

I grew up believing that the love affair with horses came from Grandpa's passion for them. Of course this is largely true, especially when it came to race horses. A few years ago, however, I was asking Grandma about what it was like moving from Utah to Montana and she surprised me with a story.

When Pat was in grade school a class assignment required that each student stand in front of the class and explain what they planned to do when they grew up. Pat stood up and proudly announced,

"I'm going to own my own horse and live in Montana!"

I recently learned that Grandma had a love for all animals since she was a little girl. Her mother was often horrified by the pet bugs or stray dogs she would bring home. Her sweet sister Connie wrote, "When Pat and I was growing up I loved to play house with my dolls and she wasn't the least bit interested. She loved animals and especially horses....So in order to me to get her to play dolls, I'd have to go watch her ride [the neighbor's] horse and play like she was a real cowboy."

Her mother and sisters were prim and proper while Pat had a wild, adventurous side they all looked up to. Connie wrote, "[Pat] loved to climb the trees and play in the brush. She wasn't one bit afraid of those awful bugs that crawled around. She always came to my rescue when I saw one."
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September, 2010

Let us be clear, racing horses is an EXPENSIVE hobby and Don's grandkids rarely let him forget it. Grandpa was easily the best at teasing and come backs but if he was really razzing you there was one way to shut him up; ask him if his horses were winning on the track. More specifically ask when the last time was his horse had won! That's when he'd start grumbling and give an order to get back to work. Priceless moments. But for as much money his hobby cost(heaven only knows how many starving children could have been saved;) the gallery of photos on Grandpa's bedroom wall are a testament that occasionally he earned the sweet reward of SUCCESS! (We just won't dwell on the ratio of wins to losses Grandpa.)

I picked two pictures off his wall to share. Don't worry I promised to return them tomorrow first thing. Clearly the thrill of that photo finish made it all worthwhile to Don.

A win in May of 1980

A recent winner his horse Better Beduino
Winner on September 16th, 2007

His most recent horse on the track was injured in August and he and Don are taking their retirement together from horse racing. I guess that is just assuming there isn't time for a Quarter Horse Derby in heaven....