As most of you know, Christine Radosta recently lost her battle with cancer. Christine was a special lady and an incredibly important part of TROT. Her expertise in working with people and with horses was vital in making TROT what it is today. Those of us who have been fortunate to have known her will greatly miss her.
Although TROT has suffered a huge loss, the Board of Directors for TROT wants to let everyone know that Therapeutic Riding of Texas will continue as planned. We have some very qualified instructors in Annie Sims, Rita Rutledge and Lynette Green. We are financially sound, thanks to the many fundraising efforts in which we regularly participate. And we will continue to partner with Happy Trails School of Horsemanship to use the horses that we have all come to love and trust with our riders.
On behalf of TROT, we want to thank all of you for your support during this time. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact any of the Board members. We will be happy to answer your questions or hear your suggestions on how to continue making TROT a valuable resource to our clients.
As best I can remember it was about 17 years ago that I saw an ad in the paper for a pony. She was in Cedar Hill, and I thought it would be fun to go and take a look. I arrived to see a band of undernourished mares and there she was…a pretty little thing, wild as a March hare. It took a while to catch her and it was obvious she hadn’t been handled much, if at all. I found out that her momma was a neighbor pony who fell in love with the Arabian stallion in the adjoining pasture. Somehow momma managed to get through the fence and came over to visit. Nearly a year later the new filly was born. For five years, the resulting foal survived quite well with a minimum of care. When I met her she didn’t even have a name. I decided to call her “Glory”, because I thought she was so-o pretty and I thought about the glory of God. I went and got my trailer and brought her home.
She was a challenge to deal with…the only horse I’ve ever known to buck the saddle off her back intact. I mean girth still attached it came sailing off her hindquarters. I remember being slam-dunked (literally) into the creek bed on one of our early rides. Ahh…the joys of horse training. She was a wild thing.
The remainder of the 17 years our relationship involved lots of riding and lots of kids. She was fast and sometimes furious but always lots of fun. She managed a few notches in her belt, unseating several riders besides me. Many kids loved her in spite of and because of her spirit.
As age and wisdom came her way, Glory joined the TROT program. She worked with blind kids, those with cerebral palsy, and some with Autism. This job she understood. She was always on her best behavior. I often times talked with her after a TROT session and would tell her that she earned another jewel in her crown. I guess that her crown was full; she fulfilled her life’s work. Glory worked her final class with Brent on Friday. It was remarkable to be a part of it and as always it was a wonder to watch. They definitely had a special bond. Saturday was spent in her stall because it was pouring all through the day. Sometime early Sunday morning, Glory’s life on this earth ended. It was sudden and a surprise as she hadn’t shown any signs of illness. I guess her job was done. It makes me think that every one of us would feel accomplished if we could have as positive an impact on as many lives as Glory did.
I am sad and I will miss her. We will all miss her. I am grateful that she was part of our lives. I will always remember the pony who reminded me of the Glory of God.
Written by Christine Radosta
Poncho is the oldest member of the herd, at 25+ years. He is also our smallest, taking care of our youngest, most inexperienced riders. A POA gelding, he is a Red Roan color, which gets whiter each year.
