3 years of Charlie

Today isn't the exact anniversary of when I brought Charlie home, but rather the date when I first met the horse at After the Races in Pennsylvania. And for a variety of personal reasons, I like to use this date as our yearly milestone. Thus, today marks 3 Years.

Charlie had run his final race almost exactly one month prior and had only arrived at the facility earlier in the week. So nothing had really happened with him yet other than a preliminary vet eval - nobody had ridden him or started any training.

All I really got to see of him was a little round pen work, then general observations of his behavior with volunteers at the facility.

charlie - the earliest days

It was enough, tho.

You all already know the story, haha. I couldn't put my finger on it at that exact moment, but something about Charlie was special. And I knew he was the one, my first horse.

my boy <3
pc Austen Gage

The rest, as they say, is history haha. And I'm not going to go through any sort of exhaustive litany of where we've been or what we've done over the last 3 years. It's all there in the archives, I promise ;)

The most amazing thing about horses is how easily they can adapt to fit within our lives, even as our own priorities, goals, resources, mindsets, needs, interests, etc., shift and evolve.

We all go through peaks and valleys, highs and lows. Times when we're raring to go, operating at full throttle - 110%. And, ya know, also times when... maybe we're more tired, worn out, over extended and threadbare. Whatever the case, ya know? Regardless, the horses are always there. Quietly ready and willing to fit whatever need we have at that exact moment.

Charlie, for me, is a horse I look forward to seeing every single day. The time I spend with him is often a highlight of my days. And the memories I have with him from these past few years are precious and special beyond words.

Every day, I'm grateful for this amazing horse. Not just his willingness and ability as an event horse, either. I'm grateful for him as a partner in crime, a friend, a fellow adventurer, a big strong shoulder to lean on when I need it. Grateful for his inquisitive fuzzy nose and silly whinny.

 pc Austen Gage

And more than anything else, I'm grateful for how excited this horse makes me feel for the next 3 years too, and then the 3 after that, and after that, again and again. In a way, I feel like the hope this horse inspires in me for the future is its own special kind of gift - something to be cherished.

Of course, I'm also so grateful for this space here too -- having all our memories and all the ups and downs of this journey documented and preserved for posterity. To that end, there's been a little bit of a gap while summer is winding down around here. That'll all get filled in eventually tho, haha (doesn't it always?). 

charlie at his best <3

In the meantime, I'm taking this day to celebrate and appreciate my horse and everything he's given me. Thank god for these amazing animals, right?

Happy Monday, everyone. Looking forward to catching up with all of you and your horses and stories and journeys too ;)