Shamrock’s Lady Luck was a very special horse. You can even say she was my Lady Luck. Shammy, her nickname, came into my life when I was eleven years old. We connected, we bonded, and we “clicked” together. I did not pick her and she did not pick me. I now call it fate that brought us together. We learned together and grew together. We won many titles and blues ribbons together. I even cried on her shoulder when I needed to. In the show ring we were all business, at the barn we were students eager to learn, but in the stall we were best of friends. I retired from Equitation and she retired with me.

I was so very fortunate to be able to take her home with me after our career was over. She played in the field and had a few foals.
I remember going out to the barn at any given day and getting on her with just a halter and lead rope for a bridle and my jeans as a saddle. I would ask her to do straight-line lead changes and figure eights in the middle of the field. She would execute them perfect, just as if we were getting ready for Rock Creek Horse Show. That took me back to the year 1982. I was riding her in an equitation class at the Rock Creek Horse Show, the class was lined up and we were awaiting the workout.

I remember going over the workout in my mind and getting mentally ready. When my number was called I asked Shammy to step off in a brisk trot. The workout called for a serpentine on a specific side of the ring, and it just so happened that it faced the tree line along with the road where exhibitors not currently showing could warm up and train with their horses in preparation for the next class. I remember being in the middle of a serpentine with my mare responding exactly as I had asked her when suddenly the pop of a whip and a cloud of baby powder filled the air in front of Shammy and I.

Shammy froze in her steps, with her ears straight forward and her head and neck arched and she was ready to spin around and get out of there. I felt the situation tense, and acted as fast as I could. I plain and simply talked to her and calmly said a few, easy’s and whoa’s. I stood and waited for the cloud of powder to fall and her mind to come back to me. Then feeling as if I had lost the class, but knowing that I didn’t loose her trust and her mind, I continued the pattern. Each serpentine loop is a half circle. Concentrating on each transition and each half circle we made. Counting each stride to make sure each half circle was the same size. To fit any serpentine in that arena is a difficult task to do, not just when you and your horse have just been thrown for a loop.

I finished the workout with perfection, and lined up with the others. Before the awards were announced the judge went up to the announcer and took the microphone. She announced that the winner used her head and didn’t get rushed or hurried. I was that winner, and I was very shocked and very proud. I could have lost the mind of that horse and it could have put us back many weeks of training. That would mean lots more circles at home not to mention all the training Mrs. Crabtree will have to do to get her back where she was. I thought, I will sacrifice a win, but I was not going to sacrifice my horse and all the training it took to get her here.

I was thankful at that moment for the training I had and the patience I was taught, and most of all how to problem solve quickly. Years went by and she peacefully enjoyed the pasture life, motherhood, the freedom and her pasture buddies. I still remember the phone call telling me my dear old mare had fallen victim to cancer and died in the night. Even after all the years, I felt weak in the knees and my heart sank deep into my chest. I lowered my head and cried. Horses bring so much into our lives. Horses are more than just experiences at a horse show, blue ribbons, and expenses. They are even more than companionship, or a tool for learning, they are a lifetime love, unconditional love. Thanks to all the parents that give their children the opportunity of a lifetime. Parents that give their children a horse are truly providing a lifelong gift. No gift will be so valuable, and will be treasured in their hearts forever.