Lauren and I at my bridal shower a few years back
Liz and Jon took care of the horses at Winterview Farm. They were married and lived in a small house next to the barn. Liz and I had an instant connection, because we were both western riders immersed in a world of English riders, saddles, and horses. Soon after Dixie arrived at Winterview Farm, Liz and I were on a trail ride rambling along on our western horses. The trails we rode on had an old overgrown cross country course on it. As we rode along I envisioned clearing the brush from the jumps, and galloping through the fields jumping everything. Keep in mind, the highest I had jumped at this point was about 18 inches. The only jumps that were not engulfed in grass and small trees were the up and down banks – obstacles where you either jump from the lower ground to higher ground or from the higher ground down to the lower ground. There was a short one and a tall one. The tall one was probably 2’9″ but it has always seemed like at least 4′ to me! Like I said, Liz and I were rambling along chatting it up, when we heard thundering hoof beats in the distance. Suddenly a rider appeared out of the trees galloping towards us on a dark bay horse. They moved together, as if a single being. I was completely speechless as they leapt up the highest bank like it was nothing and screeched to a halt right next to Liz and I. My eyes and heart danced, as did all of the horses with all of the excitement and energy.
It was Lauren. She was one year older than me, tall with a thin, athletic build and beautiful red hair. At school she struggled to fit in, but she was completely at home out at the barn and on a horse’s back. It seemed like Lauren was always traveling to horse shows with Mary Haley, another girl at the barn the same age as Lauren, and Patti, the owner/trainer of the barn. Lauren and Mary Haley taught me to ride English and jump when I couldn’t afford lessons (basically all the time). We spent our summers together riding, cooling out our horses, and then swimming in the pool – a necessity at a barn in Mississippi. The tall bay horse I first saw her on was Governor, her show horse that taught her to compete at the highest levels for her age group. He was her teammate; her best friend; and a few months before I met her he had developed EPM. EPM is a devastating disease that causes lesions on the brain and central nervous system. Governor had actually survived the disease, but it left his trachea paralyzed and he was no longer able to do what him and Lauren loved to do so much – jump. Governor moved on to a new home, and Norman took his place. I didn’t know Lauren well at this point, and noone seemed to talk about it. But I know it broke her heart.
The summer after freshman year of college I spent nearly every weekend at Lauren’s lakehouse in Louisiana. We had a unique friendship. Neither of us were the kind of girls to talk about all of the emotions of boys, horses, and growing up in general. For as much time as we spent together, I really don’t remember talking much. Lauren was the only friend that was there for me during one of the most difficult times of my life – something I will soon be blogging about. During that time I was amazed at how few people cared enough to pick up the phone and call me, but Lauren always did. I will be forever greatful for that.
Lauren rode on the varsity team at her college and then entered the real world that horses often are not a part of. We both ended up in the same state about 30 miles from one another, and 1000 miles from the farm where we first met. Even now when she comes to ride with me, I always start our ride proud as a peacock at how much I have improved since she gave me jumping lessons in the ring at Winterview years ago. Of course about 5 minutes into the ride, I am reminded of how talented Lauren is and how much work is ahead of me if I ever want to compare my skills to hers.
Lauren is one of those friends that you never lose, and even when we haven’t talked in months I know she is my friend and always will be. She has told me at times she envies how I know what I want in life, and throw caution to the wind to make it happen. I envy her incredible skill and talent with horses, and how she gives so much of herself to others that it seems there is almost nothing left of her.
She is a great friend.
I love you Lauren!
Soli deo gloria,
Sarah
Curious about epm? Check out this web site: http://www.epmhorse.org
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