A couple of weeks ago, Erin called me at home. Her voice was shaking and she sounded near tears. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. She said that they hadn’t checked the mail the day before so Charlie had stopped at the mail box on his way to our place to ride. I still had no clue . . . she said he’d pulled out a large envelope thinking someone had sent them some pictures. He was confused when he pulled out a set of horse registration papers. They were for Pepper’s Just Plain Pretty – RMH, KMSHA, and American Gaited. When he looked at the back of the papers and read the note, he just couldn’t believe it. Don and Nancy Copland had given Pepper to them! We were all in tears to say the least. Erin was Pepper’s primary trainer until baby Ruby came along then Charlie took over. Pepper has had many wonderful and exciting opportunities due to Don & Nancy. Not only did she do well in her on-the-rail classes, western, and trail obstacle classes, she was the UMH Versatility High Point Champion for 2007 and 2008. She was also the RMH International Western Grand Champion in 2007. Erin won with her in gaited dressage as well. We can’t thank Don and Nancy enough for their caring, generous spirit. There are no words. . . Charlie, Erin, and Ruby went to pick Pepper up last Friday. On Saturday, we all ended up at the Bourbon County Fair for the Saddlebred Show – Mike was even there (imagine that . . .all of us ending up at a show on Saturday night and we weren’t even competing). A gentleman I didn’t know was talking to Charlie about the baby and asking if he’d had her on a horse yet. Then he asked if she had a horse. Well, I over heard Charlie say, “Yea, we picked her up yesterday.” I tell ya folks, it just doesn’t get much better. Thank you, thank you, thank you Don and Nancy. Thank you for the gift of Pepper and for the great experiences that our children and grandchildren will have because of your generosity.
