When I was six, my father remarried a lovely lady who already had four children, a farm and two ponies!
I already knew how to ride (regular lessons) and now I could ride a pony when I visited my father in the school holidays.
Mr Wonderful and I adored him – a scruffy 13.2hh brown farm pony.
Mr Wonderful had two wall eyes (blue eyes), he was fat, always a mess and I adored him more than anyone else in the whole world. My best friend.
I rode him every day, all day, as much as I possibly could. If I couldn’t ride him, I would take him for walks, sit in his field, just be with him, anything.
My mother was in hospital all summer around 1977, so we lived with my father and step-mother at the farm and I had a whole summer with “my” pony.
I think because I was riding every day, Mr Wonderful lost weight, which was quite an achievement. By then, he was old, had arthritis, yearly laminitis (and lived in a calf shed all summer) and I would give him a sachet of bute before I rode him out.
When he died, I was away at school and no one dared tell me. I had never known such instant pain and loneliness when I found out.
Mum never met Mr Wonderful. He belonged to my step-mother but she asked an equine artist to paint him for me for a Christmas present using some of my photos. I remember Mum at first refusing to give me the picture, saying she was embarrassed and no pony could be this ugly. When I did get it, I burst into tears and said that it was perfect and exactly what he looked like!
I have never forgotten Mr Wonderful.
What a beautiful tribute to your friend, Mr. Wonderful. I think that picture is really gorgeous and the artist captured such an intense look in those eyes.
He was a gorgeous lad and that is a beautiful picture.
Isn’t there some saying about you never forget your first love?
That’s a beautiful story of your childhood pony friend Frances!
And that is the best, that Mr Wonderful lives on in your heart for the rest of your life too.
Thanks for sharing your Mr Wonderful!
You are lucky to have such a portrait of Mr. Wonderful.
Love is infinity and finds a way. Lucky you and Mr. Wonderful.
That is lovely. Magical memories & beloved 4 foot family members are the gifts of life. Thanks for sharing special moments & a very special friend.
Here’s hoping that your back is better. I slogged through my physical therapy [physio] today to strengthen my own back. Maybe my good back healing thoughts reached you. Take care.
Such a lovely story Mr Wonderful had a very good life, I can feel the love you still carry in your heart for him. Luckily I had Miss Pennywise (Penny) 11 2hh she was straight off the field, Dad backed \broke her I rode her from the age of 5 until I outgrew her. Then the succession of ponies and horses happened. Penny was the first the one like Mr Wonderful you never forget.
how could anyone think her was ugly. he was beautiful with such a kind expression. what a great story.