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Meet
"Lady Rocky Balboa" a fiesty little old lady indeed. Rocky came to us
having spent her entire life as a pony ride pony, never having ridden off a lead
line. After learning to ride, getting her feet in reasonable shape, and etc,
Rocky has been a farm friend and lesson pony for the past 2 years.
10/03 update: we are thrilled to announce that Rocky is retiring with one of her
favorite lesson students. She will be ridden this year and next, and then put
out to retirement with another, older mare, to live out her days happily
munching on pasture. Congratulations, Blaine/Kelly, and CONGRATULATIONS ROCKY!
ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT!
April '04 update: Rocky
is doing fantastic in her new home! Shown above right with her new mom and her 4
other pasture mates, happy as can be. Kelly and Blayne babied this little old
lady fabulously all winter, as shown by the fact that she lost NO weight
throughout the winter. The little girl is so tiny, she cannot even put her
muzzle over her stall door when she's inside! She's one lucky little girl, with
a wonderful place to live out her final years with another 22 year old sweet
older lady, and a few younger horses for friends and fun!
October '04 update:
Rocky
continues to do great! She came back for the Open House in
July and provided numerous wonderful pony rides. She will
again be joining the Crosswinds team, this time for pony rides
at the Prairielands Feeds Open House on October 23/24, 2004 in
Savoy, IL!
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January 07, 2008
update:
We've had the joy of seeing Rocky regularly with her
loving family these past 4 years. It is with a heavy
heart that we post this final note on dearly beloved
Rockers.
Little
Miss Rocky passed away yesterday, peacefully, at home.
She was attended by her loving family.
Please
all help us to send good thoughts and fond memories to
Kelly and Blayne and the entire family.
For
those who never had the joy brought into their world
of meeting this little darling, let me share a few
memories. perhaps others will pop in and share their
favorites.
My
favorite image of miss Rocky is this 10hh mini-giant
telling 16hand Zee to move away from HER hay. when Zee
refused, Rocky kicked her, then ran under her belly so
that Zeezer couldn't kick back! In no time, Rocky was
in charge of the hay -- and the entire pasture -- and
got to eat at her own leisure.
My
other favorite rocky image would have to be the last
time she gave pony rides for us at a CWER event. This
sweet little old lady allowed child after child pure
joy -- many children who'd never even seen a horse
before in their lives, got to feel safe and secure
leading around on sweet little miss rocky. Rocky was
so tired, she would fall asleep between children. But
put the next child on her back, and Rockys head would
come up, a spring in her step, and she'd proudly carry
her next new friend, then whisper for a treat when the
ride was done, then close her eyes again, resting
until her next charge arrived. At the last event, we
all thought Rocky was fast asleep next to the horse
trailer, taking a much earned break, when Kelly and
Auddie and Blayne arrived. Blayne asked where Rocky
was, and UP came this pony's head and her whole world
lit up as she saw her 3 favorite people in her
world!...the boy who had learned to ride with her and
now was a dear friend, the little girl who currently
was learning with Rocky, and the mom that she adored
and trusted to care for her each and every day.
We'll
all miss you, dear Rocky. you brought so much into our
worlds. thank you so much for touching our lives. and
thank you, Martin family, for all the love and care
you gave this sweet old lady these last several years.
She was incredibly lucky to have you.
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