Eclipse

So far, I have mentioned my horse Dancer and the horses at the farm that I work at. I decided that I wanted to share a story about my first horse, because he is extremely special to me. He was a large contributor to my horse craze.

Throughout my entire life, I have had many different pets, but the pet that is super special to me is my pony Eclipse. Yes, I have a pony, well actually I have four of them, one of which I brought to Ames with me. However, Eclipse is the only pony, by definition. It is hard to pick which horse is actually my favorite, because I love them all, but I have owned Eclipse since I was eight years old, and we have grown up together.

I started riding horses when I was seven. Many people say that riding horses is a phase that every girl goes through, however, I am 19 and my phase never ended. Eventually my parents decided that my sister and I were so enthralled with riding horses that it was time to look for one of our own. Together we looked up some horses and ponies and picked several to look at. We went and looked at every one, but the first one we went to see was truly extraordinary.

My parents, my coach, my sister, and I all went to look at Eclipse, and try him out. He was only three and half years old at the time, very dark gray in color, and was on the skinny side because he was so young. I watched my sister ride him, and my coach, but then it was my turn. I was so nervous because I had not ridden many horses yet, but still I got on him. Eclipse walked around so slowly and carefully as if he was trying not to scare me. As I was walking around, a giant bee seemed to get very irritated with our presence. This bee was a white faced hornet, and was buzzing all around the two of us. Soon, the bee landed right on Eclipse's stomach and stung him. Most horses would run, jump in pain, or essentially become very uncomfortable, but Eclipse did something completely different. He stopped, twitched, shook his head, and continued walking. My coach was shocked, and so was I. I was sold, from that day on I knew that Eclipse was going to be mine and was going to be the perfect teammate.

For the next decade, Eclipse and I built our relationship. He was so young and inexperienced when I got him, but so was I. We learned everything together. Soon we began going to local competitions, eventually to bigger ones, and finally to compete at the national level. Only after a couple years Eclipse and I became known as the pair that could not be beat. Together we were unstoppable. However, in the midst of competition Eclipse and I still knew how to have lots of fun. We would go bush whacking in the woods, or even sit in the pasture eating candy, specifically Swedish Fish.

After a decade together, Eclipse got older; his hair turned white, and he had so many muscles he could pull me clear across a corral. I also got older and therefore taller, and became too tall to compete Eclipse. That is when I got Dancer, who came to college with me. Even though Dancer is my current competition horse and teammate Eclipse was not replaced. Eclipse is still his mischievous self, and is teaching several kids how to ride. Anyway, he is at home and I am at school, but every time I go home, he is on the top of my list of things to visit.

Eclipse was my first horse, my pal, and taught me everything I know about riding horses. He is unforgettable, and together we have so many amazing memories.