Shawn
Gypsy Vanner
Story:
"What am I gonna do?"
"I can't afford him!" "But he's so gorgeous!" These were the words that caught my attention and caused me to stop brushing the stable aisle. Quickly I leaned the broom against the wall and walked up to a sobbing girl standing in Darwin's, our Dartmoor-pony's, stable. It was Anna, a 12 year old who visited the Myosotis Fields quite often, always happy to help even without sitting on a horse's back. "What's wrong?", I asked. Ashamed she looked at me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you", she almost whispered with a husky voice. "No, no, it's alright. Did something happen?" "No, I just...my Mom and I went to an auction yesterday and we just saw this absolutely amazing - I swear you couldn't believe he was for sale - and he was all cute and fluffy and oh my God the main was so long!" "Oh boy. So you completely fell in love with that one, huh?" I chuckled softly. "My mum, too! We loved him and he would be perfect for me! Not too big but strong enough to carry me when I'm older. He also looked super kind and trustworthy. Then when we came home, we told my Dad." "He wasn't exactly in love like you and your mother?" "He anti-loved the idea! He said it's too expensive and too risky if he gets sick and needs surgery or something. But he won't get sick! I'm sure!" "Well, I gotta say, your Dad is not that wrong, you know." "Come on, you own this whole place here with like 200 horses", Anna scoffed. "200 might be a bit over the facts. Anyway, yes I own this place, but I have so many people helping me here. And I earn money because I also work here. Your parents would have to finance everything. You just have to understand your Dad." "But he doesn't understand me! If we don't buy him soon, he'll be salami!" "Excuse me?" "They will butcher him, I can't let that happen! He's just too pretty and..." "Ok, I see. Um, what would you think if I would go take a look at your chosen one? And maybe I see the same things in him as you?" "Will you buy him? Oh that would be so great! Thank you, thank-", "Wait, wait, wait. I didn't say that. I'm not rich either. I'm thinking about a solution for all of us. Maybe, if I hypothetically buy this pony, you could lease it, so it would be theoretically be yours but the last responsibility stays with me. But I have to discuss that with your parents first, alright?" She nodded excitedly.
It didn't take long until I also fell in love with the colourful draft. He had this look in his eyes that just amazed everyone. He also seemed to have elegant gaits. I really hoped I could convince Anna's parents to accept my proposal to lease the horse. So we all sat together on one day and discussed everything. Anna's Dad was still skeptical but he had a better feeling about leaving the main responsibility with me than having it all to himself. As we didn't have that much time because there was a deadline until the gelding should be sold, we tried to hurry with a contract that contained everybody's expectations.And then the big day had come. Finally Anna could greet her new very own pony. I'd never seen a girl that happy. She cried tears of joy when she could finally hug the gelding. Even her mother teared up a bit. It felt so good to fulfill the girl's dream of an own horse. Since then Shawn lives at Myosotis Fields and is trained to compete in Dressage; actually quite successfully even. Maybe we should give more horses a chance to show their potential, even if they don't have black shining fur and a skinny body.
