|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ohio woman waits years for the horse of her dreams |
|
|
|
By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent WAYNESVILLE, Ohio — All her life Debbie Agnew of Waynesville, Ohio wanted a horse, but too many obstacles got in the way. For starters, her family didn’t live on a farm. Then, getting married early in life and raising two boys put any thoughts of owning a horse on the back burner. Then tragedy struck.
Debbie was diagnosed with cancer about 10 years ago. Any hopes of owning and riding a horse were a distant memory.
But last week Debbie got the surprise of her life when her husband,
Tom, introduced her to Churchill, an 11-year-old gelding up for sale in southern Green County. Debbie’s knees nearly buckled and tears flooded her eyes when she realized her past dreams had become a reality.
“I’ve wanted a horse since I was a little kid,” Debbie said, choking back tears.
“My first memory of a horse was when I was five years old. My cousin in Kentucky had horses and we’d ride back then. After the birth of my son, Matthew, in 1986 I thought I’d never see this day. Financially we couldn’t afford it and I became sick. I never thought this would happen.”
Debbie had no idea why her husband was taking her to a farm on Sears Road in Waynesville. The couple have been looking to purchase land and Debbie just thought it was just another search for a lot.
“I was told we were looking for houses,” Debbie said.
Tom began his horse search in December. He spoke with members of the Ohio Horse Council and county horsemen. Local horse trainer Helge Buflod referred him to Janet Hollenbeck, owner of Jubilee Farm in Waynesville.
Hollenbeck then contacted Beth Charles, a well-known trainer who deals with matching horse and new owner.
“Surprising someone with a horse like this isn’t normally a good idea,” Hollenbeck said. “The rider and horse have to match. The match might not work out.”
Debbie and Churchill underwent a two week trial period where the two got more acquainted.
The match is being evaluated by Charles at this 25-acre farm.
“If your intention is to buy a horse and you’ve ridden a long time you can buy a younger horse, but if you’re new to riding as Debbie is you want to get a horse you can get on and go with. Some people are timid riders and some are aggressive, but horses have different personalities like people.”
Debby beat the cancer and her children are grown. She can now start getting acquainted with Churchill.
“The idea of doing this has been in my mind since we started dating,” Tom said. “It was always something putting this off but it’s always been on our minds. With kids, her health and my job it was something we had to put on the back burner. I decided last Christmas to make this dream a reality.”
The couple purchased land in Wayne Township and will eventually erect a barn to house their new family addition.
This farm news was published in the Aug. 1, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 8/1/2007 |
|
|
|
|
