My Forever Treasure

Photo by Bob Tarr

TCE Balastrana+++// (TC Expression x Brooklynn) was a small half-Arabian who never completely enjoyed showing in the main ring as a western pleasure horse, being nervous and claustrophobic. So she was donated to a friend of my trainer's, Kim Berkley from Dez-Rey Arabians (see also SD Dartanian 2003 AHA High-Point Horse and Multi-Champion Vivacious Leigh from the same barn). Bally came to our small show barn with the understanding that this would be temporary and live at the friend's house when she could build out the barn.

With my horse constantly lame, I started to ride and show her in dressage after I listened to what Bally was needing, to be in an open environment as the only horse in the ring. Our bond grew through the years, as we became unbeatable through the levels. Eventually, Bally became officially mine and not simply emotionally bonded. Trusting a horse can happen with every ride, but knowing what your horse is thinking and how she is giving you her heart with every test is another. We would be the one to beat, but we were really in the ring to connect and to get that "zen" time we loved so much.

TCE Balastrana+++// High Point horse 2005

One of my goals in life was to win ONE National Championship. But together as a strong partnership, we accomplished much more than that. She and I won multi-National Championships, Reserve Championships, and Top Tens through only a handful of years, mainly focusing on our quality time together in the ring. The 14.2 half-Arabian whose conformation was less than perfect, even won national titles in the In-Hand classes against those tough to beat warm-blood crosses. She would teach youth riders how to sit extended trots and gain confidence both in the saddle and in the ring. In 2005, she became the AHA High-Point Horse in US and Canada, beating out thousands of horses for this once in a life-time achievement.

Bally was in the game because she loved it more than life. Not feeling her normal self during warm-up at our last Nationals dressage test, she rose to the occasion just to do that test because I asked her to. Crossroads between one final test or quit, it was as though she whispered that she could take on this last one; “put me in coach” she would have said if she could. Can’t explain how I heard her voice all the time, but I did. During the test I held her back. Not only did we finish the test without excusing ourselves, but we won another National Championship!

Bally knew my heart belonged in two places at once.
She continues to live on in both my and my daughter's heart.

Just this year, Bally had complications with an old case of strangles that she never exhibited from years past and came back to cause her much suffering in her breathing. As heartbreaking as it was to let her go, it was her time.

Many little girls dream of a pony that will love them unconditionally, take care of them through the best and worst of times, and be their best friend. Not only did I get my horse, but she was the most unselfish partner one could ever ask for.

She is my heart, my inspiration on what a partnership should be between horse and rider. She made me appear as though I had an inkling on what I was doing. I will never forget this bond we had, and still have in my heart, and all that she has done for me.

Hoping that I find another "Bally" in my lifetime.

HA/AA Sport Horse in Hand
Against some HUGE HA Warmbloods.
Always managed a Top Ten Placement somehow.