How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about? As a preschooler, my mother enrolled me in dance class where I met my best childhood friend. Instead of dancing, we obsessed over horses. But her parents were relentless and installed a ballet barre–in their house! When we just loped around it, they gave in and took us to riding lessons. We took lessons together at Evergreen Equestrian Center until 6th grade, when she moved away. Missing her terribly, I convinced my parents that it would take a horse to fill the void she had left. Miraculously, it worked! I got my first horse and enjoyed many years of showing on the hunter/jumper circuit. Years later, I find that animals still help with the difficult things in life.
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE? I love being with the horses. I love being outside. And I love the physicality of horse-related work. But I also love that volunteering at SAFE is bigger than what it does for me, personally. The transformation of the animals is nothing short of amazing, and I am so honored to be a part of that.
Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why? I will always have a soft spot for Slim (RIP). Despite the pain he was in, he was a gentle giant. The babies are also cute and rambunctious. Amelia is a sweetie. And I can’t wait to see how Piper turns out.
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us? I’ve tried to make the best of COVID time by spending quality time with my daughters, working on my home-based business, and riding a leased horse several times a week.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up? My family is very supportive and enjoys hearing stories about the people and horses at SAFE. Interestingly, neither of my daughters has the horse-crazy gene. They spent their youth dancing, of course.
*Photo Note- sadly Pam injured herself (not at SAFE) and we were not able to do her VOM photo shoot in time for this post. We will catch up with her when she is recovered and look forward to updating with swanky photos courtesy of Sundee Rickey.
