Riding in Roxy's Posse

Me and my girl, Roxy

I told you last week about Dusty, my first lesson horse at Touchstone Farm. He was a quiet, genial soul, just right for a complete beginner. These days, I ride a sturdy little American Quarter Horse named Roxy.

At 19 years old, Roxy is a beloved mainstay of Touchstone Farm:

• She’s taught countless children and adults to ride in the Touchstone lesson program.
• She’s a trusted partner in Horse Power.
• She’s a perennial favorite in Pony Farm Summer Camp.

 

Touchstone Farm is full of well-loved horses, but Roxy’s fan club is particularly large and active. I can’t put Roxy’s star quality into words, but she surely has it. 

Roxy and Winter Keeler
team up for a Horse Power
lesson during black fly season

For example: Last summer, I shared Roxy with whichever Pony Farm camper was riding her each week. Each time I arrived for my lesson, before I could take Roxy, an entire receiving line of campers had to give her a pat, a hug, and a kiss on the nose. Seriously, this happened every week.

This summer, Roxy isn’t on the roster for camp horses. However, she pinch hits when camp needs a rock-solid horse for swimming or overnight camp-outs on the trail. I am sure that by August, a whole crop of 2012 campers will be life members of the Roxy fan club.

I SO want to swim with Roxy!

I’m just as smitten. Some days, I drop by the farm simply to scratch Roxy’s ears for a few minutes. She is very fond of ear scratches, and being in her company is guaranteed to improve my day.

So, to sum up: Roxy = trusted + talented + beloved

If this were a soap opera, Roxy would be just the sort of good character who turns out to have a mysterious Evil Twin. This twin would look just like Roxy but she sure wouldn’t act like Roxy. 

Well, as it happens … but that’s another story. Tune in next week for the tale of Roxy’s Evil Twin.

See you around the farm,

Kathy McDonald

Rider and Volunteer at Touchstone Farm