Those who guide us, people and horses alike, are the ones who ultimately hold the biggest place in our hearts. They are the ones who teach us right from wrong, challenge us, and carry us. Through these individuals, we learn what it means to become an individual of our own. A horse gave me that opportunity. For that, I owe him everything.
On March 26, 1992, a palomino stud colt was born on our family farm in Michigan. Waiting beside him was my mother, Michelle McCarthy Warda. She watched him take his first breath, first steps, and first sassy head shake.
After being sorely disappointed in his color, she quickly realized there was something different about him. He was born with personality. He was born with talent. Most importantly, he was born with something special in his heart.
The colt was named “Wilson,” later to be called Mea Major Mito.
Later to be called mine.
Before I was born in 1993, Wilson would press his nose to my mom’s stomach and talk to the little girl that would soon be his. I’ve never really been anyone else’s.
Wilson competed in western pleasure with my mom winning multiple state championships, qualified for the AQHA World Show, and was reserve in NSBA Maturity Western Pleasure. I showed him in lead line where I was known for posting at the walk.
He taught me it was okay to do things a little differently.
My mom continued showing for a number of years. Offers rolled in to purchase Wilson, and for some reason, she just couldn’t let him go. Back then I didn’t realize how lucky I was. That “something special” made her hang on.
It was during a western pleasure class that my mom began to recognize what a special soul he was. Not because he won the class, but the reason why he didn’t. Family had to keep me away from the pen while she was trying to show, because if he heard my voice, he was constantly looking for me.
At 12 years old, I decided I wanted to show. Wilson had not yet competed in the all-around events, but I threw a hunt seat saddle on him and made all 15.2 hands of him go. My mom knew there was only one thing left to teach me – it’s not all about the fun and games.
That summer was spent cleaning stalls, riding, packing the trailer, and cleaning more stalls. By the time our first horse show arrived, I was a professional stall cleaner and was never more proud to wear hand-me-down show clothes and prove that Wilson and I were in this together.
He taught me that the beautiful things in this industry don’t come without a price and a pitchfork.
If I had to pick one thing that impressed me the most about Wilson as a horse and athlete, it would be his ability to adapt and grow with the changing times. Over 20 years ago he started his career. Through the years, the turns got faster, showmanship maneuvers got more technical, western pleasure shifted, and equitation went hunter. Each time Wilson found it in himself to do what I asked.
He taught me that the best ones are the ones that don’t stick to the mold.
I never thought finding the words to talk about Wilson would come so difficult. I asked myself one question: How am I supposed to put my horse’s role in my life into words? Simply put, I have had him for all 22 years of my life. He is more than just a part of me. He is me.
His flaws brought out my own and unlike anyone else, he made me fight my way through them. His perfections gave me strength and confidence. His heart supported mine when nothing else would. When I was wrong, he called me out. There was a time in teenage years when I got mad at him for that. Now I wish he understood the words “thank you.”
As I’ve grown, he seems ageless. He is happy and he is strong. Having Wilson for this long has made me respect what a privilege it is to ride him each day. I was once told that you should do everything in life like it’s your last chance to do it.
Wilson taught me how important that is.
To this day, Wilson has enough spunk to toss his head in a pattern. When he does, I probably deserve it. But he loves his job. He does it with perked ears and bright eyes.
My time showing Wilson has brought four PHBA World Championships, two reserve World Championships, and PHBA Novice Youth Golden Horse title. In AQHA competition we were eleventh at the AQHYA World Show in Showmanship, Top 10 at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Amateur Showmanship, and Top 5 in year-end national standings in Amateur Equitation and Showmanship. We also had state championship titles in every age group; Lead Line, 13 and Under, 14-18 and Amateur events.
I laughed when I was asked what Wilson is doing now. At 24 years old, he is preparing for the 2016 show season. Countless times I have been asked, “When are you going to retire him?” The honest answer, when Wilson wants to be retired. The joke at horse shows is that he decides what he wants to do, and how he wants to behave. He deserves that. Wilson owes neither me nor my family anything.
If you were to ask me what I love the most about Wilson, the wins, trophies, and titles would not be what comes to mind. It’s the time. The time spent traveling just to chase a dream. The time he comforted my broken heart. The time I chose him over everything else. The time spent just talking, because he is the only one that knows everything about me.
He taught me that the key to life is doing what you love, with the people you love.
Wilson’s “something special” has touched more lives than I ever thought possible. I’m lucky to call him mine. Fate kept him in our lives for a reason. We are truly blessed.
In the words of Taylor Swift, “Long live the walls we crashed through, I’m having the time of my life with you…”
Wilson’s and my story is not over. It never will be. It’s a storybook of dreams and a fairy tale that my children will hear the first time they experience the magic of a horse.
In the meantime, we have a horse show to prepare for…
