Welcome, fellow horse-lovers

I yearned for a horse and, when asked what I'd like for Christmas or my birthday, would always say, "A Horse, please!" Not till I was married with two children did I at last have one of my own, a four-year-old dark bay Thoroughbred mare. Introducing Teacher's Pet to the joys of trail riding, jumping, and dressage was an exciting challenge. We lived in Rye, New York then, and Pet was stabled in Greenwich, Connecticut. I enrolled in horsemastership courses, and soon found myself coaching riders in dressage, jumping, and hunt seat equitation.

My husband Peter bought a farm in Southwest Minnesota, and at last I had a barn and the opportunity to raise horses. Out of Thoroughbred mares bred to Thoroughbreds and Holsteiners, I produced, raised and trained nine sporthorses of good temperament and size. I relish my years spent with horses. Horses and Heartbeats is the story I would have enjoyed reading during my years of yearning.

 

Three-month-old PT’s Cottonwood makes friends, 1980

 

 

 

 

 

Sally Thompson saddling Pet at Round Hill Stable, Greenwich, Connecticut, an establishment similar to the boarding and training stable in my novel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebreds Peaceful Viking, PT’s Classmate, and PT’s Cottonwood