Since we shared the same horse and ment was, “OK, where do we ride?” obviously very scary! That fall I had a
split horse shows between us, we did Gay Talmay was a perfect choice for lumpectomy and I finished radiation
learn to be each other’s number one fan, both ladies and their college years were just before Christmas that year. If you
something that continues today. Sara spent riding there. As time has moved have to have breast cancer, mine was
understands me as a rider better than along and each has chosen to special- the best kind to have since it was not
anyone and she has always been the ize in different parts of the sport, Gail ‘invasive’. It did require lots of naps
one to nudge me to try different things. now rides hunters with Wendy Carter and rest everyday but at least I could
I am very grateful to her for that.” and Missy Froley’s Freemont Hills Sta- function. My horse, at the time was Sat-
The twin’s first horse show was at bles located at Portola Valley Training urday Matinee and even though I didn’t
the Woodside Mounted Patrol show. Center in Menlo Park, while Sara does show him, the riding really helped.”
“We were on the California Dust Bowl jumpers with the Thomas family’s Wil- “When I was done with radiation I
Circuit,” Gail says with a robust laugh. low Tree Farm in Woodside, they have went on a Tomoxifin regiment and
“Mom and dad loaded us up in the ended up riding at different places to that continued for five years. The treat-
station wagon, put the horses in the follow their particular preference. ment didn’t bother me, but the MRI’s
trailer and we just traveled wherever Gail is currently a stay at home moth- were a ‘killer’. The sensation of going
the shows were. We did everything for er who is immensely proud of her fam- into that tube sent me just haywire, I
ourselves to make it work – couldn’t control the intense-
braiding, grooming, feed- ly frightening feeling on
ing, watering. That is how being in a box like that and
we did our junior years. I had a really hard time. We
Sara and I would share a finally figured out a system
horse and then get Robin’s and I got through it but I
hand me down when she will never forget the ter-
got a new one. We had ror feeling that swept over
no problem with that be- me.”
cause Robin’s hand me “It put all things in a clear
downs were wonderful.” perspective for me. I feel
“We were bitten by the like I am so very lucky!!
bug, big time, and soon we I have had great trainers,
again inherited one of Rob- made amazing friends and
in’s horses, Trick or Treat. love it so much that I still
His barn name was ‘Tan- enjoy the sport. It is not
trum’, everyone should be all about the ribbons, and
so lucky as to have a horse my advice it just that…
like him to do Junior Hunt- make sure it is NOT about
ers on their first time. One the ribbons. Of course we
summer we went to the Fox- all want to win, but it can’t
field Summer Camp and saw the ‘wire’ ily. Sara Sutton, her daughter, will be 18 be only about that and it’s important
team. Of course we came home and in October and a senior in high school to take each day, and each ride, as it
immediately taught him to do that!” this fall while JB, her son, is 16 and a comes.”
“Robin had a horse named Broad- coming sophomore. Her husband of “With that said, even though I have
way Clown to show. Qualifying for 20 years, Matt, is President of, and runs only had Crown Affair for 3 years,
the Barbara Worth Finals, at the end the family owned Calstone Company, each day I get on him I think how very
of the year the family made plans so which makes lightweight masonry fortunate I am. He is a gentle guy and
she could compete there. Robin WON, building materials. makes my job so easy; I never forget he
walked out of that class and handed “It’s all about keeping the balance! is the main part of our partnership. He
the reins to our mom saying, ‘I quit! You have to have a supportive cast at is a once in a lifetime horse, and I don’t
Let the twins ride him.’ She has not rid- home to make it all work. If I have take for granted where he fits for me.
den since and we finally each had own a bad day riding, the kids don’t really He is almost like family,” she says with
our horse for the first time.” care and neither does my husband. Of an engaging laugh.
Fast forward to college for Gail and course they are sympathetic but then “To get to gallop around on grass
Sara, both going different ways. Gail it’s ‘what’s next?’ I get to go on with fields and play with in a sport that is
enrolled at Berkley, majoring in Politi- normal life no matter what happens or important to me, with people who are
cal Science, and Sara spent a year at Or- how I feel.” so special, and then have such an amaz-
egon State before transferring to Berk- “I was diagnosed with breast cancer ing family at home is about as good as
ley also. Both lived in a sorority house in the spring of 2002 and it turned our it gets! I feel like a Master Card com-
and then separate apartments, but they world upside down. It was just 2 years mercial…….IT’S ALL PRICELESS!”
were together again. Sara’s first state- after I lost my mom to it and it was,
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