Cookie came into my life in the fall of 1998 at an Al Marah Winter Forum. Jim & I had originally planned to take a holiday in Scotland, but decided instead to visit Al Marah, which was offering a cutting horse seminar. I had always wanted to ride a cutting horse so we scheduled that trip instead. Jim noted later that it would have been cheaper to go to Scotland!
Cookie was one of the sale horses. I fell in love when she calmly but alertly walked into the large covered arena as part of the procession. As they say - the rest is history. I purchased her shortly thereafter.
There was a brief period from 2004 to 2006 when I parted with Cookie. Jim had had a stroke and taking care of him, a farm, and three horses was too much for me to handle. I asked a friend if she knew of a temporary lease placement for Cookie, but she only had a sale opportunity. I knew Cookie would have a good home and reluctantly agreed. Turning her over to her new owner, eight-year-old Cody, was very, very hard. In 2006, we had relocated to Rockbridge County and I was mourning the fact that I would now have been able to keep all of my beloved horses.
Image my joy when my friend call and offered Cookie back! She turned out to be too much of a handful in the show ring for her new owner. All things worked together for good: Cody had a great first horse (except for indoor show rings), I no longer had to juggle the farm and day-to-day horse care, and Cookie and I were reunited.
Windward Farm in Glasgow, VA, occasionally hosts the Rockbridge Hunt hunter pace. Shortly after Cookie returned in 2006, I signed up for the "trail division." We were riding western at the time.
Photo by Gerri Wenz
In October, 2013, we attended the Heritage Arabian fall show. This class is Sport Horse Under Saddle. There were two judges who awarded separate placings. One put us first; the other put us last. Oh well, that's why they have the horse show!
Cookie is already starting to get her fuzzy winter coat.
Photo by Tracy Kelsey Photography
We also competed in Dressage (Training Level, Test 3) at that same show. We won our class!
It's hard to believe that Cookie is 21 and I am 66 in this picture! We did pretty well for a couple of old broads!
Photo by Tracy Kelsey Photography
It was a great boon when the Arabian
shows started offering "English trail" classes because obstacles are
our favorite things. Here's a picture from the 2014 Virginia Arabian
show.
Photo (c) Judy Robichaux.
We've also enjoyed ACTHA judged pleasure rides.
Our dressage work really helped our trail class scores.
On 2 July 2014 we won the Arabian Horse Association Regional Championship in Amateur to Ride, English Trail. Yep, that dressage work really did help. She also got a Regional Top Five in training level dressage at this show. Photo by Jeff Janson.
After arthritis ended Cookie's riding career, she was happy in retirement at Terry Whitmore's stable where she was a favorite of all who came in contact with her.
I still visited for treats and grooming sessions. On 2 August, 2023, I spent an hour or two just hanging out and grooming her. She looked great in spite of her age: a good weight and a glossy coat. There was no way to know that the following morning would be her last.
Don't miss any opportunities to spend time with your loved ones. It is true; you never know what tomorrow will bring.