I havent' had a chance to get on here much lately but just spent my entire lunch break reading this from page one.
Punkin, you are something special! Your personality is so unique, I too scan through the posts looking for yours, because I know it will be well-thought through and intelligent. You are an asset to this forum!!
I am white. I grew up in Houston in the poorest subdivision in Cy-Fair school district. I rode the bus with only 4 other white kids, all the others were Hispanic. So I learned early on that color means nothing. We played yard ball, rode bikes, and caught crawdads with the neighbor kids because they were just like us...kids. We had no horses growing up. My sister is 11 years older than me and she had horses. Every chance that I could I was horseback, but that did not amount to much. I spent over 10 years working with racehorses at the track to put myself through college and even my first years of teaching. Rode any horse someone offered to me to ride. Bought my first horse when I was 24. Ran my first barrel race in 2005 and like you I'm 32, still trying to get my feet wet.
I guess what I am trying to say is I kinda understand your story and frustration. But please know, I think you are amazing for setting the standards in your life that you have. NO ONE has the right to look down on you and I sure hope to some that they see how truly talented and special that you are.
AND..
by the way, Racheal and I went to highschool and college together and have been buddies for a long time. She was one of the ones who'd loan me a horse when I needed one. I knew TJ, Gypsy, the grey mare and yes the beloved Gabe. I've even been to the ranch to ride a few times, almost got throwed in the Navasota River bottom because of pigs. I'm not ashamed to call her my friend!
