Imagine getting your first horse when you were 6 years old and having her by your side for 20+ years. A horse, a love story, and a puppy who came at just the right time.
Kasey's horse Cheyenne, came into her life at just 6 years old. Her dad reluctantly bought Cheyenne for her after her grandpa, the only rider in the family, convinced him it was a good idea, and he ended up teaching her everything she knows about horses and riding.
Cheyenne was a tough one at first, throwing Kasey off left and right for years, testing her every single day. But as Kasey got older, the two became a real team. She'd hop on Cheyenne bareback and fly through the pastures, and by 14 she had learned to ride at liberty: no tack, just trust, voice, and body language.
Together they dabbled in a little of everything: barrels, cows, jumping, western pleasure. There was nothing Cheyenne wouldn't try for her. Now retired and pushing 30, Cheyenne spends her days getting spoiled in the pasture. The gray on her face is surreal, because in Kasey's mind, she's still that feisty 10 year old mare.
Last October, Kasey moved Cheyenne from coastal NC to CO so she could give her the care she deserves now that she's settled into a permanent job at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.
"She is my heart horse, I know she is. Not many people get to experience that, so I am very lucky everyday to say she's my horse."
That same love of riding is how Kasey met Trey. They crossed paths in Grand Teton National Park back in 2023, both starting work at a ranch around the same time. Their friendship moved fast: she'd take him riding, he'd take her out for coffee dates and stargazing in the park.
When Kasey's car got totaled one night in Wyoming, she wasn't sure how she'd get home after the season ended. Trey offered to drive her all the way across the country to the coast of NC, just to make sure she made it safe.
After that, the rest was history. He moved to NC temporarily to stay with her, they worked another season together in Wyoming, and last spring they made the move to Sylvan Dale together.
And their little family kept growing. They adopted Olive in March from a rescue out of Memphis, not long after having to say goodbye to Kasey's last dog, Charlie, in February. Charlie was her pride and joy, a border collie mix who was crazy smart and endlessly loyal. After being diagnosed with gastrointestinal lymphoma in December, they knew their time with her was short, and losing her broke their hearts.
They didn't think they'd be ready for another dog. Then they saw Olive and just knew. Now about 5 months old, Olive is already smart, already listening well (usually...), and the whole family can't wait to see who she becomes.
She's truly helped mend their broken hearts.
