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

I’m frequently asked by other riders how come my mount hangs out her tongue during the dressage warm up but sticks it back in for the test? The answer is simple. I believe she won’t, so she doesn’t.


That little chestnut makes me look like a competent horsewoman. In England, and now in the States, we’ve won dressage, showjumping and combined training competitions. Last year, at age twenty-four, she won a one-day event. She loves her work and refuses to retire.


I haven’t bothered with a crib collar for years. She’s earned the right to indulge her ‘vices’. She’s never got colic from them and my other horses haven’t picked up the habit, including her son, Cruz Bay, born when Kelly was twenty.


Chapter 3