Hello everyone! My name is Dawn and Sandy is not only my dear friend but she’s also the “link” in the chain between me and my rescue horse, Gifted. I swear, some people just have that matchmaker knack. While I am not sure how well Sandy does with connecting people, she certainly hits home runs in the horse world!

Let me start by sharing a few things about myself and Gifted. While I’ve been more or less riding ever since I was 13, let’s just say that I am now a more (cough!) “mature” horsewoman and I frequently get mail from AARP. Gifted, on the other hand, is a YOUNG, handsome Appendix (cross between a thoroughbred and quarter horse.) While we don’t know his background before he was rescued from the slaughter pen in the fall of 2014, we believe that he was a camp throw away (sadly, it’s true. Once the kids go back to school, many riding camp owners unload their horses any way possible to make a buck.)

Sandy knew Gifted and also knew that I was in the throes of one of “those” times in life (caring for dying parents and losing every pet I had including my beloved mare, Magic.) I’m not going to lie. I was deep in shell shock mode but something special happened when Sandy told me about this 4-year old throwaway christened “Gifted and Talented” by his rescuers. I could only do one thing when I heard his story and saw his adorable face in a photo: I had to meet him.

So, on a frigid January 2015 day, I stood at a fence and questioned my sanity as I called Gifted’s name. And this still-thin but trusting, gorgeous chestnut colt whinnied and trotted over to me. The wise horsewoman who outbid the kill buyers for Gifted remarked that we had chosen each other. She was right – Gifted and I needed each other. He was delivered to my boarding barn on Valentine’s Day, the day before my birthday. How do I describe this past year with having Gifted in my life? One word – blessed.

Thank you Sandy for following your intuition that helped me to follow my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day!