This short anthology contains three true stories about an old mare who becomes a superstar and her son who takes over where she leaves off. Contains the stories: Kelly: The Horse I Didn’t Want: Kelly was already eighteen years old when she arrived at my barn as a thin, nervous Thoroughbred ex-racehorse with a host of bad habits and behavioral problems. Little did I know she would become my equine soul-mate within six months of being given to me for free. She won numerous dressage, show-jumping, and eventing competitions until her death many years later. Kelly Comes Through: The story of how Kelly comes to the last minute rescue of a courageous teenage girl in the bid for her Pony Club badge, when her original mount went lame on test day. Kelly’s Son: After a rocky birth and a youth filled with accidents and injuries, Kelly’s son Cruz Bay develops into a consistent winner of blue ribbons. But not without more setbacks along the way!

Bridled Passion: A Horse Trilogy

After putting on her bridle, I gave her another treat, which she chewed instead of me. There was also no cow-kick when I offered a last bribe before re-tightening the girth. I then mounted her—really slowly. I knew the stunt she’d pull if she didn’t like her rider!


I sat mousy quiet on her, afraid to apply any aids. But she stayed calm throughout walk, trot and canter, so I approached a cross-pole, and hung onto a tuft of mane as Kelly hurled herself over it. I so wanted to get off!


But a buyer would want to see her jump and I had to keep going. ‘Let the fence come to you’ I remembered my instructor telling me. I repeated it over and over as I steered the hurdle racer towards an upright fence then a wider one. Boy, could she jump! I looked at Glen and we both thought the same thing: This is a good horse! Completely nuts, but talented.


Chapter 2