P O N Y
T A L E S
Pony Tales T
THE GRANDAUGHTER CHRONICLES PART XX
happened as a result of one of the horse owners offering to share her horse with this child. The owner recently found out she was pregnant, but wanted to be sure her horse was well taken care of with someone to love it as she did. She had become friends with me as we sat on the deck each Saturday by the ring where the little ones ride. She was waiting for her horse to cool out on the hot walker and I was being a good parent on the rail. Excited about this option, I stopped in the office and inquired about costs and responsibilities connected with this opportunity. I was given packets, forms and lists of new things she would need and I began to worry about the costs involved. Since this is a wonderful family, kid friendly place, I was candid and said I was not sure if we could swing this new expense. Even though the horse would not cost us, it seemed reasonable that things would change as we embarked on this next step in her riding. The lady in the office asked if I had any office
he riding school in Los Angeles that my granddaughter rides at has moved her "up" to the training barn for her lessons. I know it
in our relationship. We are now "friends" and hearing her tell about her horse experience has changed our conversation from how "we" handled things to how "she" figured them out. That is a big change. She is proud of herself and what she can do alone and she is gaining self confidence and follow through on her own. Hearing her tell me about her day has turned into a fun and very interesting communication with a much different enthusiasm. It has always been "our" world and now it is her world,
experience as they needed someone in the riding school to keep track of the Excel spread sheets and schedules for the riders. It would take a bit of my time but we could certainly trade it off. Six hours on Saturday and another two somewhere in the week. I told her I would think about it over a few days and let her know. The thought of not being "hands on" involved, and the fact that I felt I was desperately needed by my granddaughter were factors I had to weigh. That first week with the new horse lease the two of us had a great time. She brushed, I watched. She rode just about every day, I watched. She cleaned her tack, I helped. She fed it carrots and treats, I watched. She made sure the blanket was on right at night, I cheered that she was that grownup and capable. THAT thought was when I realized she was moving past me being at her side every waking minute she spent with these wonderful creatures. She was growing up. Towards the end of the week I went to the office to
talk about options and we struck a deal. I would come the appointed time on Saturday but I needed to have the hour of her lesson free to be on the deck as usual. I would also be there every Wednesday to check the kids in and out and make sure there was a staff person in the office as each client arrived. I would close up and lock up that night each week. We are in week four of this arrangement and I have to
with me as a spectator, and I must say I am enjoying all of it. We now talk and chatter hours on end as she gets to tell me of her accomplishments and I excitedly listen and praise her.
Tres Palomas & Chance Arakelian
Now accepting new clients
say it has been a God send, right from the start. I still get to watch her ride and we really enjoy the time in the car now while she tells me all of the things I was not there to see. At first it pained me to have to hear about it and not have been a part of it but time can teach lessons if we let it. This minor change in our lives has made a major change
14
HUNTERS JUMPERS EQUITATION PONIES
Chance Arakelian
carakeli@san.rr.com 858.945.4900
PO Box 3571 Rancho Santa Fe,CA 92067 Ad Design by Working Lens Productions
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100