The path to horse ownership was a long one for me – beginning, as it does for most people, as a child and ending when, at the age of 59 I bought my first pony. Bella, a 22-year-old Arab/Clydesdale cross full-size pony, with one eye, was – literally – a dream of a lifetime.
As a child, my pleas for a pony fell on deaf ears with town-bound parents. In the end, my father hatched a plan with a friend, who was an experienced polo player, to put the 10-year-old me on the back of a spirited polo pony to give me a ‘real experience’ of how unpredictable horses could be. It worked. I never mentioned I wanted a horse again and, in fact, became very frightened of them.
Fast forward 40 years, and the pull to horses was realised when I became involved with, and represented, the Waikato SPCA at the Saint Assisi church ‘Day for the Animals’. A small pony took part in the service, and I spoke to the owner saying I would love to look after or foster any small horses who needed a place to recuperate before going onto their forever homes.
Over a period of time, three small rescue ponies, Peanut, Possum and Hoki Poki, joined me on my lifestyle block on the outskirts of Hamilton. Their lack of stature helped me gain confidence, and this lead me, at 59, to finally decide that I would learn to ride and buy my own first horse.
The riding lessons went relatively smoothly, thanks to the Hamilton RDA, and I then branched out to seek the dream pony who had eluded me all my life!
Amongst the myriad of advertisements on TradeMe, one stood out, forwarded to me from my friend Jill. It was for Bella – as described above – a lovely quiet horse who had lost an eye in a paddock accident some years earlier.
Despite protestations from horsey friends concerned about Bella’s age and my inexperience, I persevered and visited Bella several times before I made the decision to buy her. It’s a decision I have never regretted.
Ironically, Bella brought me closer to the father who had so vigorously tried to discourage me from riding.
Dad saw active service in World War II, and I grew up proud of the sacrifices he had made for his country and regularly attended Anzac Day services. Bella’s arrival in my life, however, opened a door to both remember and celebrate him when I was asked to ride in the Hamilton Anzac Warhorse Parade in 2017. This was the first of regular participation, the event having a very personal and emotional significance as it enabled me to honour my Dad and all the others who put their lives at risk, and on hold, to fight for freedom.
At that first parade, I recall the emotional weight of Dad’s war medals on my chest as I proudly rode my beautiful Bella. I have never felt closer to my father and smiled as I looked up to the heavens and fondly said: “See Dad, I finally have my horse and this day is in memory of you.”
Bella has bought so much joy to my life. She has opened doors I never knew existed and I have met some amazing people and gained lifelong friends; Bella’s previous owner Jean just one of them.
Bella has challenged me and has taught me such a lot about myself. The trust and love I have for her is immeasurable; she is a ‘once in a lifetime horse’ and has truly been a blessing in my life.
Bella is rising 29 and, with signs of arthritis, is now in semi-retirement, no longer attending the War Horse Parade. She is living a very pampered life with me and her friends Diesel, Jojo (ponies), Barney and Terry (goats).
Thank you, Dad, for being the catalyst for bringing Bella into my life and for teaching me to be courageous and go after your dreams, no matter what age you are.
- This article was first published in our April 2021 issue
