Essay Contest

Last year after we gave away Fireball and April we were so moved by the entire experience that we vowed to do it again. It was not easy. First, I had to find someone willing to sell us a horse or foal for a reasonable amount of money. A good horse; not a sick, or ill mannered, or old-ready-to-die-horse. Most people try to sell their horses for much more than they are worth because they are afraid of meat buyers getting the horses. I had no luck until a week before the deadline of getting the information to the printer for the Puyallup Breyer Roundup. I could hardly wait to call Burke Williams to give him the news. I found a lady who was willing to sell me a beautiful 1/2 Welsh, 1/2 Morgan 3 year old filly for a reasonable price. She had rescued the filly and her dam 6 months earlier from a place that was abandoned. Smokey is a dark dapple grey with a flaxen mane and tail and white socks. She has a wonderful disposition and was starved for attention.

The essay contest began. And once again, it was not easy to pick a winner. Here is the winning essay:

Dear Smokey:

I have many dreams but the biggest dream and biggest question I ask myself is when will I get to own a horse? I'm fortunate that I had the chance to enter this contest. I plan to use you for trail riding and show jumping. I take riding lessons at Parkside Stables in Bellevue where I plan to board you. I'll take lessons twice a week in august so I'll see you more often. I will sometimes bring you home for a rest. Your friend will be Pandy, the horse I don't own but ride for lessons. Pandy is sweet but does not like being sniffed around her tail or touching noses. Still, I think you will make good friends with her. I like to read stories about girls who are good friends of horses and then at the end of the story become heroines. I have loved horses since I was 3. When I was 4, I would go galloping around the house like I still do and imagine what kind of horse I was riding on instead of riding a real horse. I want to be a doctor just for horses when I grow up so I can take care of horses. Also, if you get sick Smokey, I'll know what to do. Smokey, I would treat you as I treat my sister, Mom, Dad and me. I know that you will find a good owner even if it isn't me, I do think it would be a wonderful privilege to own you.

From: Madeline Wong, age 7

Picking a winner is not only difficult because all the essays are so good, but I must then make sure that the child I pick has the support of their family to own and take care of a horse. I discuss everything with the parents; money, commitments, hard work, place to keep a horse, everything. After all, owning a horse is a long time commitment and a lot of work. After the long talks with the parents, then I make a decision and the lucky child is notified.

The warm feeling we have as we leave the Puyallup Breyer Roundup is hard to put into words. It is a feeling I hope we can have next year, too. I will be searching for a special horse to give away again in 1999. I do believe someone out there will help me make another dream come true for a child.

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