In the 1990's, I took riding lessons at Haskins farm in Berkley, MA. Carol LeBalnc was my riding instructor.
"Missy" (aka "Miss545") was a broodmare at Haskins farm. The first time I saw her was when she had a foal.
I got to the barn early to get ready for my lesson. One of the girls came over to me and asked me if I saw the new foal. I told her I hadn't. "Let's go. ", she said. We went to the barn where they were. In front of the stall was a stool so you could look in. We both peered in. The foal lay asleep. "Missy" stood over her foal. It was a big foal.
The girl said "Isn't he (the foal) beautiful?"
I replied, "Yes. And his mom is too." I couldn't stop looking at Missy. She was beautiful.
Missy was a dark, almost black quarter horse. She was elegant. She had a little more refine body type more like a racing horse. She had a small star on her forehead.
We left to go to lessons.
I knew she was a broodmare. One of the owners owned her.
What I didn't expect would happen.
Carol at times would have me ride different horses.
I would get to the barn and find Carol in the indoor ring or office . She'd let me know who to go get ready for my lesson. I'd go get the horse I was to ride. I'd groom and tack up the horse . When ready, we'd go into the ring for our lesson.
One day she was at the fence of the ring. When I approached she told me to go get "Missy". She knew I knew who Missy was.
I was suddenly quite excited. "Missy. I get to ride Missy. Wow. "
I went and got her. I got her ready. I was excited about it.
She was a little nervous. I was a new person to her. I felt a little nervous too.
Yet with each lesson and time together we got to know each other.
She was a mare with a strong motherly instinct. She seemed to be a worry wart.
We learned and grew together, under Carol's teaching.
Pastel Portrait of Missy
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