She's Something Fancy: From a Kick-First Mentality to World Grand Champion Horse (Journey with Horses) Paperback – December 20, 2024

Fancy’s first so-called "Colt Start" was not a "start" at all—it was more of a crash course in survival. The "training" methods could be called the unholy trinity of Pain, Fear, and Intimidation. Unsurprisingly, Fancy returned from that experience with a black belt in "farrier defense tactics," successfully launching three into orbit and even scoring a hit on her owner's spouse. But hey, she was technically "rideable." Now, enter me. At this point in my horse life, I was horseless, and Fancy’s owner graciously offered to "loan" me this “rideable” firecracker. Cue our first arena experience: Fancy tried to insert her body into my body. She kicked me with her front foot. Normal people would have returned the "rideable" horse immediately. But Instead, I bought her.Things got spicier from there. Three times—yes, three—Fancy "charged" me like she was auditioning for the role of "lead villain" in a Western drama. She was determined to prove she was the boss and was doing a convincing job. But I—armed with sheer stubbornness and questionable self-preservation—decided I could "fix" her. Yes, I paid actual money to own a horse that had just sent me a not-so-subtle “I’m in charge” memo. I decided I could "fix" her. Spoiler alert: I could not. Fortunately, my farrier, a practitioner of natural horsemanship and common sense, staged an intervention. “Send her to Florida with us,” he said, “before she turns you into a pancake.” That is how Fancy ended up in Florida for her third "Colt Start," this time with masters of Love, Language, and Leadership (and probably Jedi mind tricks). Unlike her previous experiences, this one stuck. She transformed from a wrecking ball with legs into a legitimate star. By the end of it, Fancy was not only manageable but majestic. Her grand finale? Winning Reserve World Grand Champion Ranch Horse at the Missouri Fox Trotter World Show with her trainer. She had gone from outlaw to champion.Fancy came home to me! I got her back. Fancy didn’t forget that "humans" had once been her enemies. In her mind, I—being a human—was guilty by association. Her trust did not come in a neat little box with a ribbon. No, it had to be earned one cautious step at a time. Over time, we reached a truce. Fancy actually "talks" to me on occasion. Fancy’s lines are sharp, witty, and cutting. Her commentary adds a whole new dimension to our wild journey together. (However, Fancy was polite when talking to the Animal Communicator I hired.) She is a horse with dialogue. And before you raise an eyebrow, she’s not giving compliments. Expect zero words of affirmation from this mare. Fancy’s lines are sharp, witty, and cutting. Her commentary adds a whole new dimension to our journey. Follow our journey and experience it all: the wins, the losses, the humor, the heartbreak, and the high-stakes moments where I am convinced she is plotting my demise. There’s laughter in nearly every paragraph, and I am not saying it is all at my expense, but it is mostly at my expense. Also, If you’ve ever wondered how to do Flying Lead Changes, this book is for you. Fancy, Athletic Queen of Drama, just so happens to be a Missouri Fox Trotter who can not only gait but also execute flying lead changes with the grace of a ballerina. Fancy was good enough to list her Flying Lead Change conditions for this book. This story is more than a tale of a wild horse gone champion. It's about horsemanship, humor, and the unexpected paths life takes. There’s joy, there’s sorrow, and if you are paying attention, there is a healthy dose of learning woven into every chapter. This is it if you want a story with humor, heart, knowledge, and just a pinch of horse-induced chaos! Fancy’s story will make a fantastic movie. Grab the book, buckle up, and get ready for the ride. P.S. I started this journey with Fancy in my 70s! Read more