In the late 1960s/early 1970s, Horse & Rider magazine had a monthly penpal column. You could send in your name and address, they'd print it, and people would then write to you. (Can you imagine a magazine publishing kids' names and contact info now?)
I ended up with fifty plus penpals, and two of them, Sue Seese and Beth Dickinson, became some of my closest friends. (I just mailed off a letter to Sue Friday and got one from Beth a couple of weeks ago.) Both women were part of the early hobby, and while Sue went on to showing Quarter Horses, Beth has continued on in the hobby.
A 1975 letter that Sue sent to me when I was in college and living on campus at Purdue.
Sue Seese today.
Sue is currently battling breast cancer but is doing remarkably well. She now lives in Oregon with her husband, Craig, but is originally from a suburb of Los Angeles in California. As such, she had contacts in the entertainment industry. Ever watch the old TV show, Gilligan's Island? I got to ride Gilligan's horse while visiting Sue in 1975!
As time passed and Sue became successful in her career, she was fortunate to be able to own and show high end Quarter Horses. She boarded at the same facility where William Shatner kept his Saddlebreds and became good friends with Bill and his wife, Nerine. In the early 1990s and knowing that I love Star Trek, Sue surprised me with a gift.
Shatner had begun writing Scifi/tech/fantasy books and she had asked him to autograph his most recent one for me.
That was a huge thrill for me! (Still is. Haha!)
Sue on her first horse, a Thoroughbred named Stormy.
Sue and I were alike in many aspects, one of which was that we were largely self-taught when it came to horses. Both of us had taken a few riding lessons, but our real knowledge was learned from reading tons of books and then from experience caring for our own backyard horses.
Seeing the Jaws display at Universal Studios during a 1975 visit with Sue. We had both just graduated from high school.
An old photo booth picture of the two of us.
When Sue decided to focus on her Quarter Horses, she gifted me with her three favorite model horses.
Tico is the Stretch Morgan and the Jumping Horse is On the Run.
And this is Apache Dancer, her favorite model of all. It was bittersweet to receive them as I was sad that she was leaving the hobby, but I still cherish these models to this day.
They are a lovely reminder of a long enduring friendship.
Commenting for the third giveaway is open until 11:59 PM EDT Thursday! There are three things inside this cowpoke haversack that are included if you win.
Well, she may have left he hobby, but at least you are still good friends! Sometimes when a similar interest between two people leaves, the friendship goes with it.
ReplyDeleteThat signed book is so thoughtful! Nice to still maintain a connection after so long.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so wonderful that you have stayed in touch all this time!
ReplyDeleteThat’s both beautiful and amazing. I can’t imagine staying friends with anyone for that long. The majority of my childhood friendships have either slowly dissipated or gone down in flames.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 19, I ran a penpal ad in JAH. I got almost 100 responses and am still in touch with a few of those people today.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Gilligan's Island, but I don't remember a horse. Probably need to watch it again. My mom made sure us kids knew what all those old TV shows were (Gilligan's Island, The Andy Grifith Show, I Love Lucy, M.A.S.H., Bonanza, etc.) On the other hand, Breyer took care of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. By the way, the giveaway haversack's fabric is adorable!
ReplyDeleteBob Denver, the actor who played Gilligan, owned horses. It was one of those that I got to ride.
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