Polly has been my horse since March 2008, and together, we’ve done a little bit of everything—western pleasure, reined cow horse, jumping, and even cross country. She’s been with me through every stage of life, from elementary school to college and beyond.

She followed me when I lived in Colorado, where she went on week-long pack trips in the mountains during summer camp (she loved jumping the electric fence but never left camp!). She also won me my first 2D average buckle, traveled to college rodeos, and has taught other kids to ride and run barrels along the way.

Polly has had two accidental foals (Questo and Judd), both of which turned into fantastic horses. She’s also the ultimate colt-starting partner, helping pony and lunge young horses, and even once stepped in as a temporary mom to an orphan foal—because if there’s one thing she loves, it’s being a mother.

I always joked that one day, Polly would teach my kids to ride, and now, with a baby on the way, it looks like her time is finally coming! We’ve had quite the life together, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner.