Patch & Me

Hi! My name is Kelsey! The reason I am here on this website is because I am trying to afford a horse. Not just any horse though, Patch my one and only. And I only have a short amount of time to raise money! It probably sounds silly, but to me he is 100% of my entire being.

This is why I need Patch, my dream horse. I want to be his forever companion, and this is how he became my best friend. When I first met him, it was no fairy tale. I was a fat girl, out of my element, broke, and in need of a friend. I wasn't going to let that stop me. To most, people thought I was joking when I said that I wanted to ride horses. Even some of my family thought it was a joke. I had wanted lessons since I could say "horsie" and my parents did try their best, they really did! Horseback riding is an expensive sport, (just like everything else now days.) I tried to raise the money myself, but every time I did my parents needed cash so, it was bills or pleasure. Guess which one took priority. I didn't feel bad about giving my parents money, they have stable jobs and no costly habits but I was upset that I could never quite get there. I couldn't get hired because I was under sixteen. I waited and waited scrimping and saving for cash. I babysat, cleaned, and tried as hard as I could. No dice. It ended up in some fund with COLLEGE written all over it. I was now discouraged, but kept up with my routine due to my promises to my customers. I worked my buns off to get money again and soon enough my fifteenth birthday rolled around. Here comes the miracle. As I opened my grandparents card labeled "For you, from Grandma and me" I thought it would be a thoughtful note or a gift card but I was totally floored what lay inside. "To you sweetheart, for horseback riding lessons." I did the most teenage thing I could do, screamed and ran my buns to my Grandparents and cried like a little girl.

Soon enough, I was in a barn awaiting my instructor. She walked up to me and two other girls, and told me to tack up Rosie a little dapple horse. Two lessons went by and she then asked me if I was comfortable riding a different horse. I agreed, just happy to be there living in my dream world (or so I thought). I walked over to Patches stall and brought him out. As I mounted, I felt safe and instantly stronger on him. For eight months I practiced with Patch, and a lot of times I'd come an hour or so early to sit in his stall with him. I grew to love him. His beautiful face would almost gleam as I fed him carrots and watered him, and I never wanted it to fade. I still don't. That gleam, his chestnut and white feathery coat, and the heart of a prince. It sends chills down my spine. We moved up the ranks, not as just horse and rider but as a team. In our first show, we took two firsts and two seconds! I was aglow with pride in Patch, he was brilliant! As time passed he and I grew stronger together and I knew my heart belonged to him. He was my new dream, and the moon to my sky. As all of you know, all good dreams must come to an end. I was prepping for a lesson, and noticed a sign on his stall. "for sale" it said. I glared at it speechlessly and my heart dropped to my feet, shattering on the concrete. I ran to the paddock, and paced to Patch flinging my arms around him. My baby! I clipped his lead to his halter and walked to the cross ties, blinded by tears. I looked at the "for sale" sign that mocked my sadness. I saw the barn coordinator and I started to speak. She just smiled and said "2,500. That is my final offer. I will go no lower." I crossed my arms above my head and leaned on Patches shoulder. "But my parents can't afford a horse! I couldn't put another weight on their shoulders. I can't lose him. I just can't." I decided then and there, Patch would be with me forever. He was a part of me now and I had always known that I would do anything for him. ANYTHING. Even though I was still 15 and school was a majority of my life, I would do it. So here I am. I have a limited amount of time, but I will not give up! I refuse. I said anything, and this site along with selling everything I own is exactly what I mean. Until I turn 16 in November I will babysit, scrub toilets, anything in my power, and he deserves nothing less.

Thank you for your time, and I apologize for such a long paragraph. I have much to say about him. 

Kelsey

For pictures of Patch and more info, please feel free to email me at: [email protected]