My Journey to the Morgan Horseby Simone Bullen (22.4.09)
As a little girl I had always dreamt of learning to ride horses but being an only child with an over protective mother, I was never allowed. As I grew old enough to make my own decisions I was too busy establishing my career and together with living in the city, this passion was pushed into the too hard basket. Two years ago at the age of 37, I made a promise to myself to follow through with this dream and have regular weekly private riding lessons. I found a riding school not too far from my house where I was able to do trail rides weekly to practice what I was learning in my private lesson. It started off really well, when a horror trail ride experience resulting in a huge fall, shattered my confidence. I thought at my age I’d better think of doing something less “extreme”. |
Simone with Black Betty and friends...
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As quick as that thought came into my head, just like I was sent a message from an angel above, I had a client who knew I was learning to horse ride come into my office. She asked ‘How’s your riding going’? I nearly burst into tears and told her of my experience that past weekend and how I thought perhaps I was too old to pick it up! She said ‘Nonsense, what you need is a Morgan Horse. Once you’ve ridden a Morgan you’ll never want to ride another breed again’. After she left I quickly came back to my desk to Google “Morgan horse " and found Samaria Creek website amongst others. Something drew me to yours only.
As I sit here today and reflect upon that first weekend at your property, I realise it was the beginning of far more than a complete turning point in my riding ability - much greater than that. Judy your understanding and respect for the horses and the herds and uncanny ability to teach that through to your students is a true gift and I am so lucky that you are sharing your knowledge with me.
That first weekend I met you, I couldn’t believe we were going out riding in the bush just in halters! No bit and the fact that you chose to ride your stallion along side the chosen mare for me, was quite overwhelming at first. It was at that point I truly thought you were crazy Judy! (Deep down I knew you were an intelligent lady and wouldn’t risk the safety of yourself, your horses or anyone else).
So trusting this gut feeling, off we went in the Samaria State Forest. I honestly will never forget that first bush ride with you and your private tuition with your gentle approach and constant feedback to me with what the horse is feeling and telling us with different responses to our actions. The kindness and respect and understanding you offer your horses became obvious to me from that moment on. They offer the same respect straight back to you.
After a few more visits, I just knew the Morgan Horse was perfect for me, in size, and in particular, their temperament and gorgeous curious nature’s .Deep down I wanted to buy one but such a big decision must not be rushed. Which I knew you’d never let me do in any case, as your main concern for any of your horses is that they go to the perfect home possible.
Your stunning stallion Nimrod is always such a gentleman, “on and off duty’. I knew your breeding choices were well suited combinations of mares with Nimrod, so if I was ever to have a Morgan foal of my own, I wanted one of Nimrods without question. I didn’t even think about looking elsewhere. I had found my breeder but the big question was how to choose the most suitable foal for me with them being all so cute. At the time, this question to me seemed bigger than the universe itself!
Then it happened! Whilst sitting in the paddock amongst many mares and foals January 2009 little Black Betty came up to me .She started just grooming me and smelling my perfume (we suspect she loves Channel Number 5). I knew she was seriously in love with me when she started to pick at my bra strap! This decision was the easiest one in my life, Black Betty had picked me for her!
I knew from that moment on, we were going to be a perfect partnership and could grow and learn together. On that visit over Easter, just lying in the paddock beside her whilst she slept so peacefully, I had tears in my eyes and thought I was the luckiest girl in the world to have found you and to have then found her!
The fact Black Betty is able to stay with you for her first three young years is so comforting. I believe she’s in the best possible hands and care in your peaceful natural environment. Each night I rest easy. I wanted to share this story with you and also to thank you for being with me on this journey, always so supportive and generous with your wealth of knowledge. I can’t finish this without saying a huge big thank you for turning around my husband’s complete fear of horses. I remember him from his first visit; in your Land Cruiser with all the windows wound up, too scared to get out in the paddock, to today, totally comfortable in your paddocks amongst the herd .He’s the first one out of the car these days! It will not surprise me at all if sometime in the near future he sticks his hand up to come on a ride with us!!!!!
It’s truly a credit to you what you are doing, well done and thank you for being so special!
As I sit here today and reflect upon that first weekend at your property, I realise it was the beginning of far more than a complete turning point in my riding ability - much greater than that. Judy your understanding and respect for the horses and the herds and uncanny ability to teach that through to your students is a true gift and I am so lucky that you are sharing your knowledge with me.
That first weekend I met you, I couldn’t believe we were going out riding in the bush just in halters! No bit and the fact that you chose to ride your stallion along side the chosen mare for me, was quite overwhelming at first. It was at that point I truly thought you were crazy Judy! (Deep down I knew you were an intelligent lady and wouldn’t risk the safety of yourself, your horses or anyone else).
So trusting this gut feeling, off we went in the Samaria State Forest. I honestly will never forget that first bush ride with you and your private tuition with your gentle approach and constant feedback to me with what the horse is feeling and telling us with different responses to our actions. The kindness and respect and understanding you offer your horses became obvious to me from that moment on. They offer the same respect straight back to you.
After a few more visits, I just knew the Morgan Horse was perfect for me, in size, and in particular, their temperament and gorgeous curious nature’s .Deep down I wanted to buy one but such a big decision must not be rushed. Which I knew you’d never let me do in any case, as your main concern for any of your horses is that they go to the perfect home possible.
Your stunning stallion Nimrod is always such a gentleman, “on and off duty’. I knew your breeding choices were well suited combinations of mares with Nimrod, so if I was ever to have a Morgan foal of my own, I wanted one of Nimrods without question. I didn’t even think about looking elsewhere. I had found my breeder but the big question was how to choose the most suitable foal for me with them being all so cute. At the time, this question to me seemed bigger than the universe itself!
Then it happened! Whilst sitting in the paddock amongst many mares and foals January 2009 little Black Betty came up to me .She started just grooming me and smelling my perfume (we suspect she loves Channel Number 5). I knew she was seriously in love with me when she started to pick at my bra strap! This decision was the easiest one in my life, Black Betty had picked me for her!
I knew from that moment on, we were going to be a perfect partnership and could grow and learn together. On that visit over Easter, just lying in the paddock beside her whilst she slept so peacefully, I had tears in my eyes and thought I was the luckiest girl in the world to have found you and to have then found her!
The fact Black Betty is able to stay with you for her first three young years is so comforting. I believe she’s in the best possible hands and care in your peaceful natural environment. Each night I rest easy. I wanted to share this story with you and also to thank you for being with me on this journey, always so supportive and generous with your wealth of knowledge. I can’t finish this without saying a huge big thank you for turning around my husband’s complete fear of horses. I remember him from his first visit; in your Land Cruiser with all the windows wound up, too scared to get out in the paddock, to today, totally comfortable in your paddocks amongst the herd .He’s the first one out of the car these days! It will not surprise me at all if sometime in the near future he sticks his hand up to come on a ride with us!!!!!
It’s truly a credit to you what you are doing, well done and thank you for being so special!
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