Pony for Christmas, Part 2
Part 2: What really happened, or Linda's view
Well, Karin's version of the drive at Haven Hill is pretty accurate up to the point when she claims I told her to buy a Dartie.
Nope. Never suggested it. Yes, maybe I told Karin that there were other Dartmoors who got great dressage scores. And maybe I pointed out that even winning just fourth, she had as much or more fun than anyone. But did I tell her to BUY a PONY? No way. ...
But somehow she got it in her head. I've seen it happen before. Just a little taste of that Dartmoor drug and they get hooked pretty quick. It happened to me and, as you all know, I'm now truly addicted.
So Karin, who does few things with excessive thought and planning, wanted a Dartmoor -- ready to drive -- and win -- NOW. Sigh. With only a few hundred of these ponies in the U.S., it really isn't that hard to find a possibility, but that pony is not likely to live anywhere close to Texas. I mentioned some possibilities in North Carolina and Arizona, but "Why don't YOU have something?" she asks.
And I thought about it and realized that maybe I did have just the right pony for her. I acquired Wendy a few years ago when her owner finally decided the mare was too much for her -- too fast, too smart, too scary for an older lady. Being big, gorgeous and a fancy mover with a huge walk, I had great hopes of adding Wendy to my CDE lineup. She, however, had no such desire.
But a gorgeous fancy moving pony with perfect ground manners that was safe for road driving was ideal for Karin! Esther (Wendy's real name, which Karin prefers) requires a light touch on the reins, is better with regular work, and adores attention. Again, perfect for Karin!
So, the tryout period lasted less than a week and Broker is now the proud owner of a Dartmoor Pony. Her new cart (a beautiful gig made by the now-defunct Dartmoor Carriage company in England) has arrived along with an almost new show harness. The everyday harness has been ordered, in addition to pony clothes.
How wonderful! A pony for Christmas!