June 10 - Always a big day

June 10

Not necessarily a big day to many.  Always one in my thoughts.

This is the day 55 years ago that my favorite childhood trainer was born.

This is the day 6 years ago that that same childhood trainer, who became my best adult friend, died.

In her honor, I decided this is also Violet's birthday, since we know it was sometime in June, but not the exact date.  She's 11 today.

That trainer was named Denna Johnson.  She loved Publix fried chicken, NCIS (Gibbs!), gymnastics, and all her children.  There was not a horse or child she would not take in and find a home for.  She had at least one silent auction a year to raise money for St. Jude's.  She would buy out the clearance rack at clothing stores to stockpile clothes to give away to the homeless in the winter, and made countless baskets of food for the less fortunate at Thanksgiving.  She had one week of summer camp a year that was specifically for homeless kids in shelters.  And this was all done with "her kids".  She started the College Bound Invitational (CBI) which took place twice a year in Newberry Florida to put kids in contact with college recruiters from 6th grade on.  This was taken over and changed to the College Prep Invitational (CPI) when she died and now takes place annually in Wellington.  She slept on a bunk bed in her living room so she could stay with the kids, or so some of us adults could have a room to ourselves (hers of course).  She had camp at every opportunity, and it was nothing for 2, 3, 15 kids to stay the night on the weekends.

She trained with George Morris one summer, and was offered a horse to ride by Beezie Madden at the American Invitational when the horse she qualified died the week before (she didn't take it).

She was recognizable by voice.  You could hear her across the property or showgrounds.  Some of her best quotes: "I make you Strong Like Bull!"  "Grow some ovaries and get over the fence!" "There is no crying in horse showing"  

She didn't tolerate much in the way of insolence, and was known to pull a child aside and explain that if they talked to their parent in such a way one more time, they would be putting the pony away.

In short, she was an amazing woman, and she is missed.

***

In more uplifting news, I just got a message from Marcy that tomorrow we will be moving into the cross country field and to bring my vest.  All of a sudden, my stomach is churning...  And I have to get something to treat the pony with for her birthday!