Original story submitted by Jamie Kaleh, student at Sam Houston State University
It’s the size of the Heart that Matters
As funny as this may sound one of the most significant influences in my life was not a person, a book or even a song; it was my horse Blazer.
Blazer and Jamie “Flying”
I was given Blazer as a birthday gift when I was 10 years old and from that day on my life was never the same. I spent all my time with Blazer. He taught me commitment, responsibility, and how to love something unconditionally and for him he expected nothing in return but maybe a treat every now and then.Through Blazer, I grew as a person. I trained him from the ground up and made him into something that no one else ever thought he could be. Blazer was 14.2 hands, which is about 4’6 in feet.
After 5 years of having him and going through the ups and downs of training and life, he became my number 1 companion and best friend. Blazer literally taught me how to fly. He would clear fences that were his height and not once did he try to run out or refuse. He would amaze not only me but the people around him. It was because of him that I knew anything was possible. He kept me out of trouble and focused because I always had something to do, day in and day out. If it wasn’t riding him it was clipping him, cleaning his stall, feeding or traveling to horse shows all around the states.
We competed competitively in eventing all around Area V. Blazer and I would always draw a crowd wherever we went. Everyone wanted to see this amazing horse and rider jump things that were taller than the both of us. I still believe to this day that it was because of Blazer that my vertical is so high; I am 5’7 with a 28 inch vertical, yes, I know I should maybe think of joining a class to increase your vertical… Just like Blazer I was the underdog but drew a crowd when I stepped on the court. If it wasn’t for him I believe I would not be the person I am.
Still, to this day, when I think things seem impossible I think back to the day when Blazer and I entered into a Jump off (this is where they raise a fence higher and higher and you jump it until the horse hits it; once it is hit, you are disqualified). Every horse entered was about 2 to 3 feet taller than Blazer. No one saw us as competition but when the last round came at a 4’2 ft vertical, Blazer cleared it with room to spare with me on his back and beat out everyone.
It is this memory that I think about when I start to get down on myself and feel like there is no way I can accomplish something.
Categories: The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
A beautiful story .
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What a Sunday treat, R.T. Thank you for giving Jamie the space to share her special story of a special companion, beautiful Blazer.
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I think many of us can relate to this story….that special once in a lifetime horse….I know I can.
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…and I would like to hear and share these stories for others to enjoy. Feel free to forward them us at info@forceofthehorse.com for consideration for publication, here.
It’s all about the horses and feel good stories on Sunday give us the power to keep up the battle throughout the week.
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This story made me feel exactly the way I do about my pony; Tony. Like Blazer: Tony was a black and white tobiano, he was my best friend, and pretty much everything in this story replicated me and Tony. Except for jumping competitons. But we ran, we raced, we showed western in 4-H, we traveled miles and miles. We went through a lot together. This story has spurred me into writing something from the heart for Tony. Thanks for my ah-ha moment and my spiritual lift for the day. xoxo God Bless.
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Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your story. I wasn’t lucky enough to have a ‘Blazer’ in my life as a child. I had to wait until my 30’s when my husband gave Apache to me as a Christmas present. He’s little and mighty too! He may only be 14.3hh but, in his mind, he’s 17hh.
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Beautiful Story RT, Everyone here I am sure has or had a Blazer in their life, and probably many of them………..They help us to grow Body, mind and soul I know of nothing else that has this beautiful power and magic or this beautiful effect………………. This battle we wadge for them is a true battle of love and respect !!!! Even I here in Ohio have had and have a Blazer in my life only her name is Spirit……… The story is a little different but the effect very much the same……………………….It all started in a pasture shortly after my husband died who was only 44 yrs old , I was completely devastated and on the brink…..Met her completely without intention and purely by innocence through a wonderful friend who asked me to help her groom her horse she knew of my devastation and wanted to help me, little did she know that what was about to happen through the grooming we did for her horse that day, I brought my camera cause it was a boarding barn with many horses and i wanted to take pictures of them all……had a huge pasture in which 6 of the owners Tennessee walkers in it , 1 6 yr old unnamed untrained and unbridled mare long story but a wonderful one for both of us………………………… with the owner consent her and I found each other…………………… in the days that followed I knowing very little about horses as far as their training procedures and she knowing only the huge pasture and 5 other horses ……… We amazed each other…………………………….
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Remember, this is Jamie’s story…not mine. Today belongs to Blazer and her. B->
R.T. Fitch Author – “Straight from the Horse’s Heart” President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation The Force of the Horse®, LLC 1-800-974-FOTH http://www.rtfitch.com http://www.rtfitch.me http://www.wildhorsefreedomfederation.org
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Wow! I remember when Jamie was born. Now a beautiful young lady, an accomplished horse woman, and an excellent writer. Thank you for sharing Blazer’s remarkable journey with you.
Nancy C
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I am so proud of my granddaughter for sharing a straight from the heart story about her pony Blazer..it was a real treat for me to watch them in shows and watch as they both grew and understood each other.. Nothing brings out the best in people like a animal you have bonded with…thank you RT for putting this up on your sunday blog…carlene
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The pleasure is all ours…she is up on Horseback Magazine, too.
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Thank you Jamie for sharing Blazer with us. I, unfortunately, never had a Blazer in my life as a young girl. Due to my mother’s illness I never got her and we were always moving to get a better climate for my mother. I have loved horses since I was old enough to spot a horse in a field and couldn’t even say horse — all that came out was hrse, or something like that. I was 69 before I came in contact with the love of my life – a 27 year old former breed and show horse at a sanctuary. When there was a fire the owners did’t protect him, he hurt his hock, and when he couldn’t do his thing anymore, he was expendable. I drove 125 miles each weekend to be with him and his corral companion and wanted to adopt him when I retire. Believe it or not, he understood everything I said to him. Unfortunately in 2010 he had a heart attack. I cry for him every day. I have adopted three horses, 2 Arabians,like my love, one was going to auction, the other Arabian and a black quarter horse that was going to be euthanized. I have two Arabians that I hope to get after the first of the year that were starving in a pasture. One of the present horses I have now where I keep them, at another sanctuary I help at, need training and the two coming in after the new year will need training. Any suggestions for the best training, please e-mail at bcco1@sbcglobal.net. The first Arabian going to auction I got, is blind in one eye, and the black quarter horse is blind in the right eye. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated, I am seventy years old and my life revolves around these beautiful American icons. I still work and drive fifty miles now to spend a Saturday with them. I so wish I had my first love but I guess it was not to be. May all that like horses at a young age be able to enjoy them because it is so hard to make up for all those years missed when you are my age.
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What a great story. I always remember hearing your mom talk about how beautiful you were on the horse. I’m very proud of you!
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Jamie, I love your story and Rt thanks for sharing this with us. Many of us were not lucky enough to grow up with horses, but we have loved them all of our lives. So many people think we find the horses and I think it is quite the opposite. They find us. We are there at the right time and the right moment. I
would have to say that happened with each one of my horses. Horses are such marvelous creatures and one of God’s best gift to mankind. My first horse died when he was 32 and lived his whole life with me. My second horse died at age 34 and he was the best to ride. I purchased him when he was 10. My third horse was two when God decided he would not be a part of our herd.
My current horse Nicholas was rescued from his owner. I never ever thought that I would own him because his energy was higher than all three of my other horses combined. He has been a slight challenge. But we get together and we
understand each other now. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would have four horses in my lifetime. I was happy to have just one. But as we all are witnessed to, they find us. Have a blessed Sunday.
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Thanks Jamie and R.T. It would be something to see you riding your little guy.
Lynne, there is a rescue in our area called Flurries Hope. It specializes in giving a second home to blind horses. So you might google it to see if it has advice for working with blind horses.
I don’t know where you live as far as trainers go, but if you can find someone to go to where your horses are and to work with you as you work with them, it might save them time adjusting to a different environment and make the time more seamless.
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Thank you Christie. At some point in the future I will see what Flurries Hope can advise me. Thank you for the information. It seems that one day a week would not be enough to work at training a horse, but since I’m still working a forty hour week and sixty miles from my horses, only one day a week is spent with them. Once in a while that goes to both weekend days, but it’s not the norm. Again, thanks for the wonderful info. I live in Southern California.
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Thank you, Jamie. You brightened our Sunday. I love it when a Horse ends up in the hands of the right person. You two are a dynamite pair.
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Thanks so much for the story and pictures, Jamie, and RT. I just loved it. It reminds me of the 14H2″ pony that was called the Bionic Pony.
MARCUS AURELIUS, also known as The Bionic Pony, was a Connemara/Thoroughbred ridden by Mary Anne Tauskey. They competed in the 1975 Pan American Games as members of the USET which won the Gold Medal in the Three Day Event. In 1976, they were members of the United States Three Day Event Team; again, they were members of the Gold Medal winning team.
I followed his career with such amazement..just as I am amazed by you and your wonderful pony.
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Wonderful story. Thanks. I love the story of the “wee ones” Stroller, another Connemera half bred, and only 14.1, competed at the 1968 Olympics and won the Silver medal jumping 6’+ My daughter had a 10 hand Shetland who competed at our small shows jumping with horses and often the jumps were over his head.Such heart bred into the small bodies!
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There were many “small” equines that beat the odds and expectations of their owners…Seabisciut, etc. Teddy was an O’Connor ridden/Mars owned little eventer that was graced with a Bryer…just to name a few.
America always loves the “little” guy/gal….especially when they win.
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Jamie, you are an inspiration to us all that know you! How wonderful it would be if there were more young adults like yourself in this world. Thank you for sharing this loving and touching story with us.
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The littlest horses often have the biggest hearts. Bet it helped that Blazer also had a good rider.
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Thank you, Lynne Jones, for your beautiful, heartfelt, and touching story as well.
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I knew Blazer. His owner prior to Jamie was and is my friend. No one could do anything with that gelding, that is, until Jamie got him. He bucked and snorted and hated everyone before he met someone who clearly was his soul mate!. A fabulous story and a wonderful combination of serendipity for rider and horse! Jamie, is he still living?
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