These pictures remind me so much of the Laura we knew. We met Laura when she was referred to us to train "Ginger", the little Chestnut Arab in the picture. She came faithfully to take lessons on Ginger through her training. Quinard remembers with smiles the day and wanted to try to ride bareback. He asked if she was sure and she said she was. A couple of times around the pen, and Laura, learning her balance still, plopped off. Okay - she dusted off after taking in the moment and was ready to try again. It was no time before Laura and Ginger became quite a pair. As horse and rider they just "clicked."
I remember taking Laura out on Ginger on the trail for the first time. I remember asking her if she wanted to take a canter. So off we went and seeing she was comfortable I asked if she was ready to go faster....she was. So we kicked it up a notch or two for a bit. After slowing back down I remember the look of excitement and exhilaration on her face. She was excited to have gone that fast for the first time.
When Ginger's training was through - Laura took her home. Soon enough she was ready to be on the road with truck and trailer. Laura came on a few camp out trail rides with us with Ginger. She was the great provider of S'mores around the campfires. Whenever I make one now, I think of her. Everyone who met her on the rides liked her passion and excitement for life. She was bubbly and happy all the time.
Though it saddened us at the news that Laura and Ginger had been in an accident and then more so that Laura had left us, there is some comfort to know that in her last moments as an angel among us - she was doing something she truly loved on the horse she loved even more and was happy. There was Mazzie, but never the bond with Mazzie that she had with Ginger. I'm sure now, she comes down every once in awhile and gallops around on Ginger bareback in Ginger's pasture...and never has to dust herself off.
