From: mdresser@pbs.org (Melanie Dresser)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Reader Bio's
Date: 26 Jan 93 14:42:35 EST
Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA

Well, all these bios have been great, so here's mine.

I'm Melanie Dresser, I'm 33 and I live in Northern Virginia with my boyfriend,
Bruce, and two siamese cats. I do Macintosh computer support and training for 
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). I've been reading rec.equestrian for about 
4 years now. 

I have always had this passion for horses, and got my first pony when I was 8 
years old.  Dart was the greatest; he knew 101 ways to dump his rider, and he 
taught them all to me over the years.  My first horse was a starved and abused 
horse I bought for $75 from the person who had rescued him from his situation 
several weeks earlier.  She was afraid to sell Paige to me cause she didn't 
think he would survive.  I was in 7th grade at the time, and I had Paige for 2 
years before he died, of unknown causes, as he was found dead in his 
pasture--probably colic--I believe his several years of abuse had left his 
insides permanently damaged.  

During high school and for quite a few years after I didn't have a horse, and 
though I still dreamed of them, just couldn't fit them into my life. Then at 23 
I finally decided to go to college and during my last two years I rented a 
little house on an Appaloosa horse farm, where I would feed and help out in 
exchange for a deduction on my rent.  
One of the training horses they had was Quest, a white Appaloosa gelding, he was
there to be started under saddle and shown at halter as a 2 year old (they also
showed him the year before as a yearling, but I wasn't there yet).  Then he 
came back as a 3 year old, even taller than the year before--now 16 hands.  He 
was there for a more training and to be sold at the Prince Plaudit Production 
sale at Rimwold (an Appaloosa breed auction).  

I had just started riding one of the horses there that summer and was trying to 
learn to ride hunt seat and to post (I grew up riding western and bareback).  
Quest was being trained Western, but he sure had the ability to be an English 
horse.  Linda, his trainer, asked me if I would be interested in him, since he 
was next to last in the sale, they weren't expecting good bids, and if I was 
interested, she would see if his owners would be willing to lease him to me till
 I could buy him. He had a great temperamant and personality, and Linda thought 
he would be a good match for me, so yes I was interested if he didn't sell.
  
Off Quest went to auction, and I resigned myself to the fact that I would never 
see him again.  Well, the day after the auction, they came back and Quest was 
with them; it just happened to be my 28th birthday, so Quest was my birthday 
present to myself.  I worked extra hours and saved and was able to pay for him 
in 6 months.  I learned alot living on that farm and I owe Linda so much with 
all she taught me--I can never begin to repay her for her patience with all my 
silly questions.  And Linda was right, Quest was a good match for me

So here I was, a green rider and Quest a green 3 year old, with about 90 days 
under saddle. Well, I put a hunt seat saddle on him and we learned everything 
together. Since that time 5 and half years ago, Quest has been the passion of my
 life.  We showed the Appy shows and won many ribbons and trophies--even 
qualified for the Worlds, and for the past 2 years we have been learning 
dressage and showing at training level--hoping to get to 1st someday.
A general lack of money prevents us from getting regular lessons, but we get 
them when we can, and I read a lot.  Last year we learned of our biggest 
obstacle, Quest had developed arthritis in his hocks.  We have been working thru
 that and hopefully we will be able to keep learning together.  He may not be 
able to go very far in dressage with the arthritis, but we will try as long as 
he is comfortable.

My boyfriend, Bruce, has learned to be a pretty good groom at horseshows and is 
very supportive of my "habit."  All those with supportive significant others,  
are extremely fortunate, and I for one am very grateful.

Many people ask me why on earth did I buy a white horse, he's so hard to keep 
clean.  Well, I didn't set out to do that--he just happened into my life, and 
I'm sure not sorry, though I do think I deserve an award for the most time spent
at the wash rack :-).
Although Quest will be with me for the rest of his life, my goal, when someday I
can afford it, is to have a Warmblood, with color, that can take me to the 
higher levels.

Melanie
   and Plain Quest, Appaloosa extraordinaire
-- 
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          Melanie L. Dresser	  mdresser@pbs.org    
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"In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.
Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant.  You may
quote me."  Elwood P. Dowd
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