My passion for horses is God-created
within me. I started riding when I was 4 years old and the passion has never dwindled and is now shared with my 14 year old
daughter Ashlee. My first love is and always will be for my Lord but I am forever grateful that we are now in a place where
my daughter and I can live and enjoy life fulfilling this passion within us! I am also forever grateful to my wonderful husband
David who encourages, understands and supports our passion for horses and my 7 year old son Samuel who patiently tolerates
being at the barn occasionally!
I grew up on Long Island taking lessons (English and dressage) my entire childhood, owned
a beautiful Appaloosa named Rocket as a teenager, showed in rated equitation classes and continued on for an Associates Degree
in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Science at SUNY Delhi. While in college continued showing on the Intercollegiate
Team while studying breeding, barn management, horse health and maintenance, large-animal veterinary science, raising and
training babies, and my project horse was Sea Breeze, a 3 year old thoroughbred, ready for training under saddle to become
a hunter-jumper. After college (1987) I became the barn manager and instructor for Sandpiper Farm on Long Island until David
and I were married and moved further west on the island.
Seasons in life change and I happily became a wife and full-time mom first to Ashlee and seven
years later to Samuel. God had a very special plan for my life for these past 14 years for which I am forever grateful, thankful
and humbled. But during those 14 years Ashlee’s passion for horses became evident so she started riding at 4 years old
somewhat inconsistently but then when she was around 10 the season started turning back to horses as a gift for me and Ashlee
to have together.
We
started leasing horses so I could start riding again, teaching and encouraging Ashlee and supporting her love. In time we
eventually found Casper, an incredible Percheron mix who taught us so much more than we taught him. He’s in the pictures.
We both miss him lots and wish he could have come with us!
Horses
have never been about money or a career for me – I am just truly blessed and grateful to our Lord who has led us to
this place (our new home in NC August ’07, and to Happy Trails). Horses are about passions, unconditional love, joy
in life, self-confidence builders, heart-relationships, beautiful creations from God to love and care for. So for me to be
able to help bring these moments of joy to children or adults, bring them moments of happiness and share this with them –
then I feel as if God has brought me here for a purpose.
All I do and am is for His Glory,
Miss
Jeanne
P.S.
I am also always available to pray with you, share my testimony, and my husband and I are also available for Marriage Ministry
counseling.Concact us at jmelhado@nc.rr.com
