Laurynn’ s B
orn in the Chinese Zodiac sign, The Year of the Horse, Laurynn has always had a fascination with horses. At the early age of 4, she asked to learn how to ride a horse. Searching high and low, in phone books and online, I looked for someone with no success. Finally, at the age of 5, we found someone, and she has stuck with it since then. She had two different trainers off and on for a year and at age 6, Patti Belanger of PJB Arabians, Sebastopol, Calif., was recommended to us. I knew nothing about Arabian horses except for that my aunt owned one when I was a kid, and up to that point Laurynn had only ridden ponies. After her first lesson with Patti, I knew we had found the right place. We started with one lesson a week, then two, then three … she was hooked. She started asking for her own horse. At that time, her dad jokingly said, “Maybe when you are 10, if you are still riding, we can buy you a horse.” I don’t think he really thought at that point she would still be riding horses 4 years later. Early on in her lessons with Patti, she spent a Saturday at the ranch. It was a cold day with rain coming in. Patti took a few of the girls into the big pasture to put blankets on some of the horses, and one in particular took an interest in Laurynn. PB Polish Princess (A Wish SFF x R Desperada), a black purebred Arabian mare, had never really seen a small child before and she walked up to Laurynn and put her head down low to check her out. Laurynn and Patti blanketed “Princess” together and their love affair began. From that day on, she wanted Princess for her own, and at any given opportunity Laurynn would go down to the big pasture and take Princess an apple, carrot or some kind of treat. She visited her on Christmases and brought her a special homemade warm bran mash with carrots and peppermints. Laurynn would also make sure that when it was Princess’ birthday, we would go to the ranch and bring her a birthday cake that she made for her. She and Princess had a special bond that grew over the years, and with her continued desire to own her, asked for money in lieu of gifts for the next two years in order to buy Princess herself. She saved every bit of pocket change she could find and pennies she found on the ground. She learned how to roll the coins so we could take them to the bank. No more birthday or Christmas gifts … just money, and we opened up a special savings account just for Princess. As Laurynn’s 10th birthday drew near, her dad and I realized there was no turning back. She was so determined and had worked so hard, that there was no way we could not get her the horse she dreamed of and had saved up half the money for. Over the course of months, Laurynn and Patti worked with Princess together. Initially, Patti taught Laurynn how to lunge and work a young horse and then Patti would ride her. It was hard at first for Laurynn to separate her love affair with Princess to being her trainer, but it was a very valuable lesson and exciting opportunity for her that not too many other kids get. Learning how to train your own horse! Not long after, Laurynn could ride her on the lunge line and quickly progressed from there to riding her in the whole arena. Laurynn had told me a few times that she dreamed that on the morning of her birthday that Princess would be in the front yard with a ribbon in her hair when she woke up. We lived in the city mind you, not the country, so I thought this was a pretty far-fetched idea. I joked about it one day as Laurynn’s birthday was fast approaching with Patti and she said, “I can probably help you with that!” I really didn’t think it was possible, but she said yes, and the plan was put in place. I made a ribbon for Princess’ neck, and had extra for her tail in what Laurynn deemed as her barn color, teal. Patti planned to be at our house at 7:30 in the morning on Laurynn’s birthday. When she woke up that morning, Patti was outside and ready. I told Laurynn her birthday present was here and she sleepily asked if she could open the present from her friend first. She looked at me confused when I said, no, you need to look outside first. I opened the door for her and there was Princess waiting for her! Laurynn was completely speechless. Those who know Laurynn, would tell you that she never has nothing to say, but the shock of Princess out in front of her house to greet her on her birthday did the trick. For Laurynn, it was the best day ever.