In 1989 I moved my girls from San Antonio, TX back to Norman, Oklahoma. My oldest daughter did not want to leave Texas and all her friends. I knew I had to make the move a happy occasion for her so I tried to find a place for her to continue to ride horses.
I didn’t think I’d be able to find a saddleseat instructor for Sarah, age 12! Sarah had fallen in love with the Saddlebred horses. Her best friend’s mother trained show horses back in Texas. Sarah had earlier quit riding at the stable where I rode hunter/jumpers - she didn't care for them. She did get the opportunity to ride the fanciest and high style horses on the planet, so of course, she wanted a Saddlebred.
To my surprise, not only did I find a riding stable in Norman, but the Stable had a saddleseat instructor available!!! Sarah and I were very excited and she began lessons with Sandy Adams. Sandy and Sarah hit it off from the moment they met - Sandy was a small wiry woman, much the size of a child! Sandy was always so encouraging, but she really put Sarah to the test! She knew just how much to push to get the best from Sarah, and Sarah adored her. If I were silly enough to make a comment about horses, I was quickly put in my place by Sarah. Sarah only listened to Sandy!
At the stables there were not really any saddleseat horses, only an Arab! Sarah was a good sport trying to perfect her saddleseat equitation on the Arab, and even on a western or hunt style horse. However, Sandy knew what was best for Sarah’s riding and she took me aside and said, “Woman, get that child a saddleseat horse”!
As a new lawyer just starting out, I didn’t have much money for a horse, but I told Sandy Adams that if she could find a “show” horse for Sarah for only $2,500.00, I’d buy it. Of course I thought Sandy wouldn’t be able to find us a saddleseat show horse for such a small amount, so I wasn’t concerned – I certainly did not have $2,500. I just needed to pacify the Sandy-Sarah faction to buy myself more time to actually buy and board a horse! Economically, I was hoping it would be a long wait.
I got a call at my office one late Spring day – a miracle had occurred – Sandy found Sarah her first show horse. My heart was in my throat and my mouth went dry. I’m sure my jaw must have dropped, had anyone in the office been there to witness it. How in the world could I come up with that amount of serious cash??? I had just bought our first house in Norman, and a new car and a dog!!!!
Somehow, I don’t remember now, I begged, borrowed, and scraped, to come up with the monies. The horse wasn't a Saddlebred, but a Morgan horse. I had always wanted a Morgan horse!
Sandy had already made an appointment for us to see this miracle Morgan horse mare located in Topeka, Kansas. I knew I had bought a horse come hell or high water. Apparently, the owner of this mare had financial troubles, and Sandy worked her magic to talk the lady to coming down on her price. (Not the last time Sandy came through on price- but that’s the next story!!!) Sandy assured me that indeed, it was a miracle; this horse was a blue ribbon winner – a Ladies Park Horse Champion at the Wheat State Regionals, as well as numerous high ribbon wins in the Park classes at the Morgan Horse nationals. Of course, being new to Morgans, and saddleseat myself, I didn’t really have a clue just what that meant. All I knew was that I was going to buy a horse!
I will never forget the trip up and back to Topeka, Kansas. It’s one of my favorite memories, Sarah and I followed Sandy who was pulling the Horse trailer. I remember I kept listening to Chris Issak’s song “ Wicked Games” over and over again, driving Sarah nuts.
When we arrived in Kansas, Sammy- the trainer there, took us into the barn to see our new Show mare for the first time!!! For Sarah, it was love at first sight. I’d never seen Sarah so happy; Sarah was not a demonstrative child – evening opening birthday or Christmas presents was always nonchalant for her! But on this day she threw her arms around the mare, hugged her and was just ecstatic! So was Sandy. However as I recall, I couldn’t believe the homely, shaggy, big bellied mare, with tons of whiskers, hairy ears, rough looking hooves, and totally out of shape equine was a “show” horse -- Cairnbrae Cameo!
Sandy quickly saw the look on my face and hauled me out of that stall so fast it literally made my head swim! She got me in the barn office and whisked out the glossy, colored photographs of the MOST BEAUTIFUL Park horse mare anyone could ever ask for. This IS Sarah’s new Show horse she beamed! Just give me three months and she'll be transformed. I made Sandy promise.
Sandy did not let Sarah or me down. I remember Sarah took her mare to a small show in Edmond, OK in the early fall. Cairn Brae Cameo and Sarah were the most magnificent sight I had ever seen. Sandy not only had the mare looking like the Ladies Park Champion she had been and was, but she took Sarah Brown the rider to the next level. Sarah had worked with her horse everyday after school and really dedicated herself to riding to Cameo who was not an easy mare to ride. But when Sarah came into the barn Cameo whinnied, Sarah was her girl, the bond was real!
By the second year, Cameo and Sarah were always in the top ribbons, and won show after show. Sandy even got the park mare to back up for equitation classes. Sandy, you are indelibly engraved in my mind and heart. You, Sarah and Cameo were an incredible team – a match made in heaven. You were an important mentor for my daughter Sarah during an impressionable time in her life.
Later Sandy helped us purchase another phenomenal mare, at only 4 years old, Chessie (HVK Obsession). And because Chessie was so fabulous we were able to trade her for another remarkable horse, Future Entertainment (Bo) that Sarah continued to win the ribbons on under saddle and under harness. These are some of the best memories I foster. Although I never got to be a stay at home mom, I hope Sarah remembers the wonderful times we shared with the horses. Sarah was a beautiful rider, who successfully rode many other horses, and I miss those times dearly. Rest in peace, Cairnbrae Cameo and beautiful Bo. You are forever in our hearts......
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