Meet Our Wonderful Horses
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_____________ Music and Tacoma This is one of those stories where people always say, don’t buy a horse because of how it looks. Well, because I must have missed that part, I did, I chose her because of her looks and her name. Music is a registered paint with the given name of Painted Romance. She comes from the Impressive line and her father was a champion Halter (Black and White Overo) I bought Music when she was only three and she was my very first horse at the age of 38. I have had her now for 14 years. Like most young horses, she was green, and like most novice owners, I was green. Yeah, I know, another no, no. Well, to prove ya all wrong, Music and I learned together; kind of like raising your first child. Someone has to be the guinea pig. We went through our introduction stage of “who’s the boss”? I think I won that argument; although being a mare, she tries to test me sometimes. I love my girl. She is extremely smart, usually willing to try new things, (unless she’s having a bad mare day) but most of she time she is a joy to ride. She has an extremely smooth trot and canter. Anyone can ride her, even a beginner. She loves to chase cows when we get the opportunity. She just does not appreciate big ol heifers sneaking up behind her! She has been my therapy and a pleasure to own and care for. She’s my “Music Horse” “Tacoma” or “Mr. T” is our Crabby Appy. When clean, he is a beautiful red spotted leopard appaloosa. We bought him for Doug when we realized that it’s really hard for two people to ride one horse at the same time. Plus, Music was a “lonely only” and needed a friend. Tacoma was approximately 12 when we got him. He is not papered but it’s obvious by looking at him his breed. We think he is around 20 now, but to see this boy in action you would never know. Our eldest did barrels on him and came in first at many events. Mr. T does not know what slow is. You will see him merrily prancing his way through the vineyards. He’s a good ol boy with a big ol heart. He is a horse without a mean bone in his body…unless you’re Allegro and your are antagonizing him, that’s another story. Music (Left) Tacoma (Right)
_____________ Memphis Memphis is a strong, brave, champagne, registered Tennessee Racking horse; apply named “Motivated Memphis”. His accolades begin back when he was a police horse assigned to the LA Staples Center as a two year old. His original owner had to give him up due to an old injury rendering him no longer able to ride. When Memphis came to J Walker Ranch (originally sold) I had to grab him quick due to his popular demand on the sale line. He impressed everyone who came in contact with him. Since my adoption of him, he has joined me with the Lake Elsinore Mounted Posse unit. He takes great care of me wherever we go whether on the job with the posse or on trail as the TEWRs club drag mount. He is the alpha of our 3 horse herd and holds a constant vigil watching over Stoli and Kirin . His sound mind impressed me on the job when an ignorant bystander slapped Memphis on the rear thinking it would be funny. Memphis stood his ground calmly. He once made the local TV news featuring the Lake Elsinore Mounted Posse at a high school championship football game. He was filmed consuming his much deserved “pay”, but hey, press is press. He proudly sports a badge when he is “at work” and I am proud to call him my horse, looking forward to many years of increasing our bond.
_____________ Stoli Stoli is our character. He is the tell tale horse-in your-pocket. He is a beautiful Buckskin Tennessee Walker with an awesome gait and disposition. He has just turned 5 years and will be forever young at heart. Everyone gets a kick out of his comedic personality. He keeps us all in stitches with his silly antics. His daddy is “Last Chance Push’n Crème”, “Cremey”, J Walker Ranch’s stunning stallion. Stoli is a perfect addition to our 3 horse herd. He gets along with all equines and loves people. Both David and I take turns riding him and everyday he amazes us more and more. We couldn’t ask for a sweeter, gentler, more hilarious horse.
_____________ Skywalker Skye is now a 12-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse/TWH that I purchased 4 years ago. He is sweet natured, high spirited, athletic, and I think … very beautiful. The first time I rode him I was not allowed to leave the show arena. I couldn’t help but notice the trainer who rode before I, had “trembling hands,” as she dismounted, which was a little concerning. As soon as I got up in that English saddle though…I was in heaven. It’s called “Ride The Glide!” We rode around the “mirrored” show arena and I fell in love immediately. (My brother teases me that Skye still misses his mirrors.) I know I rocked his world when I bought him…but now, after four years together, my Skywalker is a western pleasure trail horse that will go anywhere I want him to and tries just about everything I ask of him. Training him to work outside an arena, neck rein, back, ride western and bareback, negotiate trail obstacles, ride in parades, accept affection, swim and most recently lead a “herd “of trail riders called the Eq-“Wine” Riders, has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. We have learned so much together and he is truly my therapy. If it were not for Skywalker… I would have never met Kerry and there would be no Eq-“Wine” Riders. He has helped to bring so many wonderful saddle pals into my life and I love him and all of you! I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful group of people and their horses.
| _____________ Kirin I first met Kirin in Tennessee when I went there with Jen Johnson on a buying trip for her J Walker Ranch. The gentleman selling Kirin said, “This is an A-1 mare”. The horse before us stood 15 hands, all black with a white star on her forehead. We were skeptical of the sales pitch of course, but once we rode her and experienced her wonderful gait and all other attributes she possessed, it was a sale. Once she got to California , I got to spend a lot more time with her at JWR. Several weeks went by and I sensed a deep sadness within her. I wondered if she had ever received love from a human or maybe she had a loving partner once and was snatched away from all that she knew. She was obviously well-trained, yet emotionally detached from the world around her. Her vacant eyes grabbed my heart so she became mine. She has come a long way since a year ago when I adopted her. Her communication with me is very subtle yet most rewarding. I can only hope she knows how much I love her and that I am her partner for life.
_____________ Palomar I first saw Palomar, a 4-year-old smokey-buckskin TWH, one day when I stopped in at J Walker Ranch just to “see what she had”. I knew I wanted a horse, but it was a friend that turned me on to a “gaited” breed. As I walked up and down the horse stalls nothing really grabbed me. But then I saw Pal. He was so busy eating (he loves his food) that he didn’t even see me. But oh I saw him. How can you miss that tall horse with the striking appearance? But I left without ever taking him out as I didn’t want to get too attached at that point. Even though I looked at horses at different places, I could not get him off my mind. I left for a planned Hawaii trip and when I got back decided to see if he was still there. Well he was, and as I got to know him I discovered that incredibly sweet, affectionate and willingness in him. Since he would be the first horse I owned I felt that those properties plus his impeccable ground manners would be a good fit for me. I guess he felt the same way because we connected like we were brothers. He has an amazing trust in me and I in him. He has never failed to take me anywhere I ask him to go, knowing in his mind that I would never lead him in to trouble. To this day, we have a great relationship, both growing and learning horsemanship together.
_____________ Blondie My horse trainer was raffling off a premarin foal. We bought 4 tickets at $25 each. My youngest daughter, Erika had filled out the tickets in her best penmanship and we were in the drawing.
_____________ Charlie Charlie is an American Quarter Horse, who's registered name is an image of Zippo. He is from the Zippo Pine Bar line, who was a national champion in western pleasure. Charlie is a real pleasure to ride and has a jog that is like being in a rocking chair. I have owned him for 4 years. He is a very loving and kind horse. He really likes women better than men and loves the attention they give him along with all the treats. I really enjoy riding him with my cousin Joann Davis and all the wonderful people in the Temecula Eq-“Wine” Riders club.
_____________ BJ I own a wonderful stout American Quarter Horse He is a Dun with a dorsal strip .His name is Big Joe but is known as BJ. He was a roping and barrel racing horse before I got him. I've had him for six years. He is so gentle and loving; he would do anything for you. I've had him at a lot of different places from the ocean in Monterey Bay to the Rockies in Colorado. We have gone on the Happy Hoofers ride each year since I owned him. He does exceptionally well for being 24 years old. We are enjoying growing old together.
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