Name Change

For those of you who knew us in our high school or undergrad years, you'll remember my horse as Cherokee, not Cherry.

Why the change of name? I must admit to took me awhile to adjust, but when I did I can't go back. The horse will forever be Cherry to me.

When I brought Cherry to the riding school to start earning her keep as a part time lesson horse, there was already a horse named Cherokee at the barn. He was also used in lessons and horse camp, and of course he was spotted too.

He was a large gelding with a huge head, completely the opposite of my petite mare. The differences between them were vast, but try explaining that to a 6 year old child. They didn't look anything alike, but you can't say, "Get Cherokee. The spotted one." They're both spotted.

Another problem was the communal tack room with saddle racks and bridle hooks labeled with the horse's name. I could just see some kid trying to force my small bridle on the gelding's huge head while another asked why the gelding's large bridle was hanging off my mare's small face.

So Cherokee became Cherry, and I figured I could change it back when we left. At first I had trouble keeping the name straight, and probably confused several students before I was became consistent. Besides, the name suited the small, cute and spunky mare. "Cherry" just sounds so upbeat, doesn't it?

I never did change her name back though. After 2.5 years of calling her Cherry, I didn't think of her as Cherokee anymore. So when I moved to grad school, I introduced her as Cherry, and that's what everyone calls her.

Just in case you were wondering. :)