HOXSIES STAR GAZER    a.k.a. "Grady"

2004 National Champion Golden Age Pleasure Driving

I admired "Grady" for most of his life but only had the pleasure of owning this boy for a few short months.  He took to the life of a show horse well and shined in Open Pleasure even though he was an aged stallion in his teens.  Grady brought us home a National Championship at Nationals that year.  He passed away a few months later.

Grady was a true example of a little horse with a big heart and is sorely missed by many.

Oatmeal Acres 2 Bucks Buzz N By Blue

Oatmeal Acres Unos Buckin Blue x Oatmeal Acres Blue Danube (AMHA/AMHR)

What a handsome boy this was, so hard to let this one go.

I met "Stormy" in 1986 while working at a miniature horse farm.  He was always a proud boy but easy to drive.  Full of himself but obedient to the rein he was the first mini I ever showed and I like to tell people one year in Hudsonville we beat Darrin Southwick in Pleasure Driving... of course, Darrin was just starting in minis but HEH still makes me feel good!  Stormy was not just a show horse either, I took the 4H kids out to see the minis and they got to ride in a wagon he pulled around the farm and could take the reins if they wished!  He went in the sesquicentennial wagon train travelling as much as twenty miles a day and pulling his miniature covered wagon down to the capitol in Lansing.

In 1991, I had the privilege of purchasing Stormy and brought him home to start Oatmeal Acre.  We built him a private paddock under a huge Mulberry tree that shaded him all summer and kept him dry when it rained.  He could see his girls in the adjoining pasture, could show off and impress them when they came up to drink.\

I showed him for the last time in an open show at the age of 24, he loved to show off and you could tell he thought everyone was there just to see him!  He sired many beautiful babies including a National Champion Pleasure driving stallion and a great-grandson of his will be in the ring again in 2009.  Many of his offspring became 4H horses because of the gentle, eager to please and intelligent nature he passed on to them.  There will never be another like him.  Go in peace, Stormy, I will miss you until we meet again one day.

In Memory of Jodi and Kaynel, two great old girls I had to let go this week.  I am sure they passed over the Rainbow Bridge together.

Kaynel mysteriously went blind a few years ago, she was terrified and alone.  Jodi was already in her thirties but took it as her job to care for and guide 
Kaynel.  With the passage of time they became very close, talking quietly to each other in their private pen.  Jodi lost all her molars so both went on a 
liquid diet they shared out of the same bowl.  Last winter was hard on them...Jodi crippled with a hoof deformity, Kaynel dealing with cushings and 
arthritis; then a few weeks ago Jodi started having frequent seizures.  It was time.  My vet came out on a pretty, sunshiny afternoon to lay the girls to 
rest.  Jodi leading the way as always, then Kaynel with her nose on her buddy (Who I am sure was waiting at the base of the bridge) and a soft nicker passed 
quietly to their next life.I do miss you grand old girls...go in peace.