After a lifetime of horse-allergies and nearly 10 years of research on the Bashkir Curly breed, the time was finally right to buy my first horse. By providence, a gangly curly gelding was for sale within a few hours of me. First only gingerly patting his neck, testing for a reaction, I got bold and by the end of an hour had my arms wrapped around the big grey gelding's neck with my face buried in a horse's mane for the first time in my life. My eyes were wet as I wrote out the check and promised the seller he'd have a wonderful new home.

Together we started with a dressage trainer. Me an absolute beginner unable to ride anything other than my broke-only-to-trails horse! What a trainer's nightmare we must have been! But the stubborn, out of shape trail horse who drug his hooves at a trot and only cantered on one lead soon blossomed and five months later this green horse and green rider took home the Novice Championship and English Reserve Championship at our first ever breed show.

Soon after, at our trainer's urging, I located Regal's dam in Vermont and bought her, with high hopes of breeding a few more foals the quality of her son. Regal and I focus on dressage and also enjoy Bashkir Curly breed shows, promoting the breed at open shows, and doing parades and demos throughout the year.

All my horses have been and will be in the future evaluated by sporthorse professionals and, where applicable, officially inspected. Before planning a breeding I consult with breeding mentors who have a combined experience of over 80 years breeding.

I understand first hand what incredible horses these curlies are- To me, Bashkir Curlies are proof that when God put's a desire in our heart, he provides a way. I hope that through careful and conscientious breeding a few more, and hopefully better, examples of this wonderful breed will be around to make dreams come true.