I don’t think I will mention the word "retirement" for a while. Our first show in 2000 was a PtHAO show, under four judges she took a Grand and two Reserves. Even though Princess is a “chubby” mare, I decided to show her at a AMHA show in May 2000. Wouldn’t you know, she took Grand Champion Mare under both judges! Sherri was there and shared the tears of joy with us! Many Grands followed that year. Princess had another set back in 2001 (read below). Princess and I are truly a team, in the ring and at home!

Because Princess is so much fun to fool with, it is natural we always enter costume classes. "Princess and the Pea" is the all time favorite . One year, I was a chef and Princess was a table...complete with a menu, place settings, a carrot and a vase full of flowers! Then there was the complete bridal party. Princess as the bride, Stoney as the groom, me as the pastor, Mom as the bridesmaid and little foal Ally as the flower girl!

One warm summer night in 2001, I had Princess out on the lead to munch on some grass. I discovered a white lump on her eyeball. Our local vet referred us to the closest veterinarian college for diagnosis. Wouldn’t you know, the head of Opthamology had never seen such a thing! To make matters worse, surgery was scheduled and then postponed in a matter of day. Princess’s bile acid test is not considered normal enough for the college to perform surgery. What an emotional roller coaster this has been. So now, we are taking life one day at a time and continuing to enjoy each others company!

Princess’s mysterious eye lump has started to come off and normal eye tissue underneath! I hope and pray that we are in the clear!

Princess has most recently at age 22 began with some visible signs of pain of arthritits. We do are best to keep her comfortable and most of the time the same spunky Princess is still letting be known she is living with us!

I can’t imagine the day when I don’t have Princess. Who will I share my dreams with? Who will I turn to when I am feeling sad? Who will I share my can of Diet Pepsi with? Who will the Girl Scouts have to help them earn their badges? Who will rub on me so hard that I get knocked down in the snow? Who will all the kids that visit, run to? Who will do anything for me in return for some pats and a little treat now and then? Until "that day", I will continue to update this "Tribute to My Special Horse"

Rest in Peace My Friend. In Loving Memory of Princess. April 23, 2005