Team #620 Judith Myers and Dancer

Team #620: Judith Myers and Dancer
From: Spring, Texas
Ages: 82 & 18
Combined Age: 100
Test: Introductory Level Test B
Date: February 11, 2023

My horse journey began at about the age of six with my younger sister at a carnival. Our parents offered to let us ride a pony around a fenced ring for 25 cents. We rode by ourselves! No person led us. It was magical! We did not want to get off. From that day forward, for our lifetimes, we shared a deep love of this four-legged animal. 

My sister, Susan Jeffers, became a world-acclaimed children’s book illustrator. Her many books include, “My Pony,” and “My Chincoteague Pony,” which includes a letter to Susan from Marguerite Henry, author of “Misty of Chincoteague.”

Later in my life, before children, I bought my first horse for $250. He was a red chestnut off-the-track Thoroughbred. He was a special horse, kind, gentle, and generous. After my three boys were grown and through college, I bought a Quarter Horse who was doing Training Level dressage. He had originally been trail ridden through the streets of Brooklyn, New York, before learning some dressage in Maryland. He was patient and eager to please, a wonderful soul. 

Recently, I moved to Texas and found a great barn. I was able to lease Dancer, a wonderful 18-year-old grey Quarter Horse mare. This lovely mare had an accident in her younger years and then was turned out for seven years. She is owned now by a sweet woman who put Dancer into gentle training with a USDF gold medalist.

The farm was recommended to me as a very fine barn, and I have indeed found my Texas horse family. Everyone there is a true blessing to me. I am immeasurably grateful to all of the wonderful ladies for making my Century Club ride come to be. 

My family, including my grown boys, flew into Texas from Florida and Alabama and my Texas family hosted the whole event. It is among my life’s most cherished memories, and I thank God for it.