I've been pretty horse-sick lately. The USU equestrian team is done for the season, and without it, I don't have any contact with horses. I love horses and they are a big part of my life, so it's hard when I don't get to spend time with them. My dad calls riding my "Prozac", since it seems to make everything better. To make up for my lack of "horsing" (as my cousin calls it) I have been watching a lot of horse movies. This doesn't quite cut it, but it sure helps! I've also been thinking about Fergie a lot. No, not the famous pop start from The Black-Eyed Peas. Fergie was my horse.
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| Me and Ferg, hanging out at the barn |
I started riding Fergie the summer I turned 15, only about a year after I started taking regular lessons. When I first saw Fergie, I didn't think she was anything special, just a regular brown horse standing in a stall. Boy, was I wrong!I soon found out that she had a huge heart, a sweet personality, and an amazing capacity to love. She was also very fun to ride, especially when we were both having a good day. Fergie taught me so much in such a short time. She taught me about friendship, forgiveness, and love. Even after a hard, frustrating lesson, she always showed me that she loved me. It was hard to stay mad at her. Many times, Fergie was a shoulder to cry on, always there to lend her silent support. She taught me what it means to love unconditionally.
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| First Class, Fergie's dad |
Fergie was born out of an Arab mare by an Oldenburg sire. What a dynamic cross! Fergie had the fire and stamina of the Arabian, and the movement and disposition of the Oldenburg. Fergie's real name, Farfig Newton, is German meaning ergonomic cookie (or something to that effect...). I usually just called her Boo. Fergie's sire, First class, was a world class stallion and a major competitor in dressage and jumping. Fergie inherited a lot of her dad's potential and I think she looks alot like him too! The other day I was looking at a website dedicated to First Class. The site listed all of his offspring that had competed well or who produced offspring that went on to become major competitors. Fergie was not mentioned. Fergie and I tried showing one summer, but it didn't sit well with her. She never won many ribbons or reached the top levels of competition, but to me she was worth more than any olympic performer. Fergie's worth was not measured in showing success, but in what she meant to those around her.
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| A gorgeous picture from a show |
Fergie passed away in December of 2009 from a bed case of colic. I only had about four and a half years with her, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Fergie was one of my best friends and I will never forget my first horse. I look forward to the day when I can own a horse again, but no horse, no matter how great, can ever take Fergie's place inside my heart.
Sincerely,
Me
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