Mystery Photo Number 1 from N/L No 10 revealed:

Sarsparilla and Lisa Irvine 

Hello there, we are Lisa Irvine and Sarsparilla (sassy) mystery photo no 1.  Sarsparilla arrived shortly before my son James who is now 3 1/2; we'll go back to the beginning!

I had been looking for a young appaloosa mare to bring on and do riding club stuff, for a couple of years on and off, before I met Linda Winter at the 98 northern appaloosa show. Yes we got talking about horses and Linda had a photo of sassy at a few months old with mum Capitall Alice. APC Conquistador was the sire. We exchanged phone numbers and l went to see her in May 99.  I took along my friend Nicky who was also expecting in July, and like me was quite large. I bet we made a funny picture!       

Sassy and James have spent a lot of time together, and says when hes bigger hes going to ride her, l wouldn't be surprised!

I am very happy with our choice of breed and horse, sassy has such a lovely (cheeky) temperament; she is very noisy and has been seen with her head down recently dug deep holes. I am sure she would visit every house /farm drive that we pass when out hacking, if l let her.  A very sociable horse!

Last year, Kelly Marks chose to use her as a starter, in a demo she did at Osbaldestin in September 2001. Sassy was a star, l think Kelly had rather an easy time, as Sassy didn't question anything, and was enjoying all the attention from the audience.  Tears came to my eyes when she was sat on for the first time, as it was such a gentle introduction to what lay ahead of her.  Sassy had a lot of visitors to her stable during the break, people just couldn't believe it was her first time, she had been so laid back, a good advertisement for the breed!

I didn't ride her until May 2002, then we were in Canada for most of June, that is another story!

We entered the national show after reading the newsletter encouraging us all to (have a go)!  We arrived a little late, an accident on the M6, so we missed the most colourful classes.   This meant that she had plenty of time to relax with her new friends, before the next class. I was so pleased with how she took everything in her stride, this being her first show, first of lots of things!

The show was brilliant, everyone was so friendly, helpful and encouraging.   Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

I hope to see you at some shows this year. Also thanks to my husband Chris and son James, who are my back up team.

We have been on some organised rides, and are currently doing young horse lessons and have started jumping rustic and coloured fences. I don't know what the future holds for Sassy and me, but l know we'll have lots of fun doing it.

Lisa Irvine and Sarsparilla

From the Editor:-

Thanks Lisa for writing in with your story about your cheeky Appaloosa Sassy.