Shoot For The Stars

By Delores Kuhlwein

2022 was a disheartening year for Wendy Ray, a 72-year-old affectionately known as “Grammy” throughout the Wisconsin horse community. She lost the first horse she’d ever owned to colic in February – “Tiffany” was a rescue she and her family had brought back from starvation. Then in July, Grammy was in a severe car accident that broke eight of her ribs.

But then a breath of fresh air came into her life by the name of Rita, an 18 year old rescue horse that was found starved, living in someone’s garage, explains her granddaughter, Cailyn Taschek.

Grammy and Cailyn were in the barn doing chores one morning (Cailyn reveals Grammy was back in the barn doing chores shortly after the accident, despite her best efforts to get Grammy to rest).  Casually, Cailyn asked if she’d want to get another horse, or perhaps lease one.

Grammy told her, “Yeah, I’d buy one if the right horse came along.” She wanted her own horse, Cailyn reveals.

One hour later, Cailyn went in the house for lunch and a sale ad popped up that said, “Grandma Safe Horse.”

“The description was everything I could ask for in a horse to trust my grandma with!” Cailyn explains.  “Rita was priced very cheap which meant it may be doable for Grammy. I instantly sent her ad to Grammy, messaged the lady, and we were on our way to Illinois that night to meet Rita! It was truly one of those “meant to be” moments that you can’t make up!”

They learned that Rita had been rescued by the lady they purchased her from, who now used her for trail lessons and riding.  The man who was keeping the starving mare in his garage had been deported. “We have traced her history back to the rescue, but that is as far as we’ve made it – the story seems to have hit a dead end,” Cailyn says. “We have searched far and wide but can’t find any history on her even though it seems likely she was once a show horse.”

Because of Rita’s color, Grammy was able to register her with the Pinto Horse Association as ItsFiveOClockSomewhere.  This year, they made their debut at the WPtHA Oshkosh Show, which was particularly meaningful.  Grammy is a regular at her family’s shows with the Wisconsin Pinto Horse Association and has even worked in the office there.

“She was so excited to finally get to show there herself!” Cailyn explains.  “Her goal was to get one ribbon and she ended up with top placings under all four judges in a huge class!”

Now Grammy has a bucket list goal: 2024 Pinto World with Rita, who will be 19 when Grammy is 73.  Cailyn says Grammy’s main goal in fulfilling her dreams is to get there. “She’s watched us for years and never in her wildest dreams thought she’d ever show there. Rita has opened up so many opportunities she never thought she would have. Just getting there at her age would be a win!”

Grammy, Cailyn concludes, has been a true inspiration, and the toughest lady she knows. “She is out at the barn riding and working every single day She is so encouraging and always telling other people that they CAN do it. She would want everyone to know that no matter what age, they can do whatever they set their mind to!”