Life is a Series of Special Moments
By Karen Pickering
I can’t believe we’re approaching Christmas already! It’s October 25th as I write this and sitting here wondering what to write about, I looked back at my December editorial from last year. It was about my best friend, T (Theresa) and a special trip we took in 1989 to celebrate Washington’s Centennial. Wagon Train ’89 was such a special adventure, one I will never forget. It’s these moments in time that I can look back on as one of many fond memories. Your can read the story in our December 2017 online digital issue or as an article on our website.
T and I had many adventures—something I will always treasure. As we bring this issue to print I’m reminded how special — and short — life is. I’ve made many friends during my lifetime, especially since I started the magazine in December of 1995. I treasure the adventures and hope to write about most of them someday. I’m super glad I always took loads of pictures; they captured those special moments. I’ve always subscribed to the belief that you make the best of every adventure and say “yes” to those opportunities that may only come around once.
In this issue we are celebrating those special senior horses in our lives. I can’t believe that my mare April is already 19 years old. I bought her at Bennett Woodland Farm in Deming, WA, the summer of 2000. The Bennett’s hosted a horse sale, auctioneered by Tom Pasma. April was just a year old. I had no money with me so my friend, Si Kingma bought her for me (a story for another time).
April and I have had so many adventures together, from her first AQHA ride as a three-year-old to riding through Yellowstone National Park in 2014. She’s that once-in-a-lifetime horse. I’d love to hear about that special horse in your life. Watch our website and Facebook page for an upcoming opportunity to share your story in the Northwest Horse Source Magazine.
This month as we celebrate senior horses, we are bringing you a special story on page 6 about a veterinarian, her beautiful stallion, and an amazing new product she wants to share with you. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an enchanting New Year!
Quote: Be in love with your life. Every minute of it. —Jack Kerouac
Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages. Now 29 years later, it’s an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses!
Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.
