New Year's : Examples of Resolution and Resolve

The Greek horseman Xenophon was born in 431 B.C. Yet as old and cherished as we hold his teachings, they pale in comparison to the 4,000 year-old history of celebrating the New Year – mankind’s oldest holiday, dating back to ancient Babylon. New Year's resolutions began around 150 B.C., connected to the mythical Roman king, Janus, whose dual faces saw both past and future. This is the season when we look back on what we’ve done and to possibilities ahead. So I asked Facebook friends what “Rider’s Resolutions” they had for 2011.

There were the usual self-improvement goals…
“I plan to make time to ride more.”
“Keep it natural...mentally and physically.”
“To keep encouraging responsible breeding.”
“To advance to second level dressage by the end of the fall show season.”
“To try to stay on! Can't take another broken back.”

And simple prayers …
“Helping my mare to overcome pain associated with EPSM.”

But the most inspiring resolution might be that of SUNY-Suffolk university student, Kristen Pierce, who is determined to start her New Year by saving a horse’s life.
She’s raising money to pull one lucky animal from an auction pen by selling handmade chocolate horse head lollipops at participating tack shops, feed stores, and online via PayPal.

“My resolution is to save the life of a horse. I'll be pulling a horse from slaughter from the Camelot auction in New Jersey on January 19. I'm holding a fundraiser to raise money for its quarantine and transport,” Kristen says. “It's going to be so hard to choose just one.

Kristen, 20, says the inspiration behind her Random Act of Kindness came from a dog: “A friend had to give up her dog. They were going to send it to a kill shelter and I just wouldn't let that happen, so I stepped in and took matters into my own hands, brought the underweight dog into my home, had her examined by a vet at my expense, and helped find her a home. I had posted on a local equine message board about the dog's information and was contacted by a woman, Jesslynn, who offered to help.”

After an hour on the phone together, “We realized we had a lot in common, involving horses and animals in general. Jesslynn had pulled two horses from Camelot auction. One was sent to a rescue in upstate New York and the other went to eastern Long Island. We are now teaming up to rehabilitate the horse that was sent to Long Island, and find her a forever home. She is a 3-year old TB filly who was raced eight times and won over $20,000. I guess she wasn't doing well enough for her owners not to throw her away to an uncertain future.”

Underweight and covered with rain rot, Jesslynn and Kristen have named the filly, Hope. “She is getting plenty of groceries and TLC. She is a very sweet filly and I know she will find a great home.

“Jesslynn inspired me. In one week, she helped me, a complete stranger, find the dog a new home, and rescued two horses! She is a hard-working college student, like myself, so if she can do this, why can't I? I've always wanted to directly make a difference in saving a horse's life and I am honored to be able to do this for one lucky horse.”

If Kristen’s resolution inspires you, too, buy a lollipop (or send a donation) via PayPal to lovethatponyy@yahoo.com.

Behind Kristen’s resolution is a sentiment as old as the tradition itself: “If s/he can do this, why can’t I?”