For those lucky enough, there is that one special horse that touches your life. For Bonnie Sheren of Studio City, California, that horse was Gold N Pearls Galore. The 2000 sorrel mare was by Zippos Old Gold and out of Mishawum Zipper.
We first introduced Pearl to our readers in 2013, and at that time it was glaringly obvious how important Pearl was to Sheren. “I don’t even think I can explain how much Pearl means to me. It feels like she was made for me, and she will be with me for life. She is the smartest horse I have ever known and she gives her all each and every time she is shown,” Sheren told us in 2013.
Unfortunately, Sheren and Pearl did not have much more time together. “Pearl was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure shortly after we came home from the 2014 Select AQHA World Show. Her kidneys eventually gave out but her heart never did,” said Sheren.
According to friend and former trainer, Kerri McKay, Pearl and Bonnie had a special bond. “When I met Bonnie, she didn’t have a horse at the time. She asked me to help her find one. She told me, ‘I am not a good rider and I just want a horse that will go slow and keep his head down.’ I laughed and the search began. Bonnie was just timid and lacking in confidence.”
When Kerri found out that Pearl was for sale, she instantly knew that she would be perfect for Bonnie. “I had known Pearl since she was three years-old and I had worked with her quite a bit with her previous owner, Janet Francisco. Bonnie and Pearl bonded instantly. Pearl somehow knew how timid Bonnie was and that mare took care of Bonnie. I literally would teach Pearl the Novice Amateur Trail pattern first and then Bonnie would get on and Pearl would make sure Bonnie did it right,” Kerri say laughing.
In the first six months that Bonnie began to show Pearl, there were many judges and other trainers who made it a point to find McKay to tell her how remarkable Pearl was for taking such good care of her rider. “She truly was amazing. She never took advantage of Bonnie’s lack of confidence, instead she taught Bonnie about courage, determination and fortitude. As Bonnie’s trust in Pearl grew, she became a better and better rider,” Kerri recalls. “I watched Bonnie’s riding skills change from unsure and timid to confident and self reliant. That is the beauty of what a horse can do for a person.”
Sheren explains to GoHorseShow how Pearl was diagnosed. “We don’t know what caused it or how long her kidneys were compromised. If she were a human, she would have been on dialysis and on a kidney transplant list. Unfortunately, kidney transplants are not possible in horses. I didn’t know how long she had but decided to do whatever I could as long as her quality of life was good and she was happy. So, she had five great months of turn-outs, grazing, carrots, cookies, and anything she wanted. She got lots of love and attention from everyone around her.”
Sheren was at the Sun Circuit Wednesday when she received a call from McKay who had been checking on Pearl every day. Kerri had promised to tell her when she felt Pearl was no longer happy. Sheren rushed home the following day and, after consulting with her vet, Dr. Klohnen at Chino Hills Equine Hospital, they decided it was time to say goodbye.
“Pearl was my world. She changed my life, and I am so grateful to have had the honor of owning her for the last three and a half years,” Sheren reveals. “The outpouring of love and support from the horse world has overwhelmed me.”
The mare amassed over 600 points in trail, western riding, western pleasure and halter. Pearl placed in the Top 10 multiple times at the Regional Championships and was Top 10 at the NSBA World Show in the Select Amateur Trail. The duo also placed third at the 2012 AQHA Novice West Championships in the western pleasure.
We would like to express our condolences to Bonnie and everyone who has been involved with this special mare.
