The Chestnut Dream
I sat on my first horse at four years old. It was in the parking lot of the church preschool I attended. I remembered that day forever. Sitting on a massive quarter horse’s back for all of seven walk steps was all I needed to get hooked. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. After the first exposure, my grandma grew my love for horses. She took me on trail rides near our lake house. I started by riding double with my mom and then, once I started taking lessons at age eight, I got to start riding on my own. Little did I know did the big, bold, yet so incredibly kind and
caring animals would become my lifeline- my shoulder to cry on, my biggest supporter, and my best friend.
A Twelve-Year-Old with a Dream
It was age twelve when my trainer told me that she knew a chestnut Thoroughbred looking for a lease. She told me he had some minor back issues, but nothing inhibitory. I was told he was not jumping over three feet, which was PERFECT, considering I was interested in dressage at the time. I distinctly remember going home that day and telling my dad all about “Toy”. He said I was crazy. A horse with back issues? No way! We can’t afford a horse. All I heard was jibber jabber. I was set. I didn’t know Toy but somehow knew he would be mine.
Not letting go of it, I kept bugging my parents about Toy. It took a lot of talking, convincing, and number-crunching, but they finally gave in. Who can say no to a twelve-year-old with a dream? I met Toy aka “Batteries Not Included” soon after. He was perfect. His beautiful white blaze down the center of his face, his kind eyes, his tall white stocking, his perfectly chestnut body, his squishy nose. He was my dream. My Chestnut Dream. The horse that changed everything for me. And bonus, Toy became my dad’s favorite child!
Faithful Friend Through Life
Toy and I went through a lot together. We went through all middle and high school together. I say “we” because he was there every step of the way. I would go to the barn nearly every day, and though I didn’t verbally tell him about my day, I felt like he just knew. He knew exactly how to take care of me, and what I adored most about him was his spirit of gentleness. When I had a rough day, he would let me rest my head on his neck. When I had a good day, he was game for whatever – a canter around the pasture, some leg-yields and counter canter, or a bareback trail ride. If I wasn’t on my A-game during a lesson, he would always take care of me. He never refused a jump, but a scary ditch was understandable… monsters live down there!!
We competed in dressage for a while, then tried Eventing where we won our first two events together. He taught me how to persevere, how to be competitive, how to be patient, how to control my emotions, and how to love deeper. He had his anxious moments, as any thoroughbred does, but he always cared for me. I may have failed him, letting impatience or emotion get the best of me, but he never failed me. He never ever failed me, he never stopped loving me, and he never left me.
My Chestnut Dream
Today, Toy enjoys his best life being groomed and occasionally ridden by my mother and myself. He is the king of the farm – he enjoys his stall time, pets, and attention. He’s sixteen and looks incredible. A shiny coat, thanks to Triple Crown Senior Gold, and his thoroughbred feet are kept the best they can, considering thoroughbred feet are naturally terrible to keep. If I can give back a portion of what he’s given to me through The Chestnut Dream, I would be honored.
The face of The Chestnut Dream is Toy. I’m sure many of us have a horse that changed everything for us. Toy was that for me. He was My Chestnut Dream. Fill in the blank with yours. “My Bay Dream” “My Grey Dream” “My Palomino Dream”. What horse changed it all for you? Who shifted your perspective on not only riding, but life itself? Who taught you to persevere? Who taught you to be kind, even under pressure? Who forgave you even when you didn’t deserve it? Horses have a way of teaching the most valuable lessons that maybe can’t be taught by humans. What has your horse taught you? And how can you thank them and show your appreciation?
The Chestnut Dream exists to bring intention, organization, and heart back to barn life — helping riders feel grounded, capable, and connected to why they started.