(February 5, 2003) It was Christmas morning, 2000, at the Aquia Harbour Stables. I would rather have been home, snuggled up by the fireplace in my flannel pajamas, with a nice hot cup of coffee, overseeing the aftermath of the "great unwrapping." But having horses means at least 2 trips to the barn every day, even on holidays! The horses needed their breakfast. Besides, Santa had left them some candy canes. So off we went, treats in hand. Stall #19 stood empty in early December, the previous occupant having moved to greener pastures. In the days before Christmas, though, signs of a newly anticipated inhabitant started to appear. There were brand new water buckets, a pitchfork, halter, lead rope, and even Christmas decorations - shiny red tinsel and some kind of Christmas banner. Clearly there was going to be a new arrival. I'm not sure exactly when Dottie arrived, but she looked warm and cozy in her stall that Christmas morning. I was there to see the entourage appear, an entire family. A young girl wearing a blindfold, and surrounded by a sea of grinning faces, was led into the barn. She obviously hadn't a clue where she was, although the familiar barn scent might have tipped her off. When the blindfold came down, she looked confused for a moment. But when the realization finally sunk in, I don't know whose smile was the widest - hers, or those on the faces of the family that had given her such an amazing gift. They say that giving is better than receiving - but it was impossible to tell who was the happiest that Christmas morning. This much I can say . . . even though I didn't know Samantha Snow back then, I was really lucky to enjoy a little piece of her special surprise that day. Dottie is a 13-year-old coral mare, 15.2 hands, with a white blaze on her face. She's a registered Quarter Horse, officially named "April Sandalarro," (show name "Connect the Dots"). Dottie was previously owned and stabled here by Jane Stone. Jane was in the midst of training and showing Dottie as a Hunter, but had to lease her out when she started her family. Jane recalled the day Dottie found a new playmate at the barn - a huge snapping turtle. The friendship didn't last long, though, after the turtle bit Dottie on the nose! Jane was thrilled, of course, when Dottie returned to the Harbour under new ownership. Samantha, and her mother Sheila Snow, train with Kelli Padgett. Samantha won lots of blue and red ribbons (1st and 2nd place) at the Prince William Horse Shows last season. Dottie was the Year-End Reserve Champion in the Pleasure Division, and Samantha was honored at a PWHA Year-End Awards Banquet in November. She plans to continue showing this year . . . but watch out Sam. Your Mom is right behind you! Mallory Miller and Frances Lester continue to show at the TWA Winter show series at Hazelwild. On January 12th, Frances, trained by Maxine Grossman, was Champion in Student Equitation, and Mallory, trained by Kelli Padgett, was Reserve Champion. Kelli's horse Cowboy, ridden by Mallory, was Reserve Champion in the Pleasure Horse Division. John Reed's horse, Flame, ridden by Nicole Wilander, was 3rd in the Maiden Hunter Division. Frances had a 2nd and two 3rd's in Large Pony Hunter riding Rose, and her horse Aquia's Secret Rendezvous, ridden by Maxine, was 1st, 4th and 6th in the Maiden Hunter Division. A Stables Committee has been formed, meeting at the Business Office on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. Officers were recently elected as follows: President - Paul Coughlin, Vice President - Keith Eden, and Secretary - Debi Curtsinger. As always, I invite anyone to submit news items to me for publication in this article. Don't forget to say hi to Dottie in stall #19 the next time you visit the Stables. Happy Trails! |