Contributed by Megan Piermarini
Ever heard of the phrase “every cloud has a silver lining”? Well, that is a motto you need to ride by when riding the “bad boy of Windrush.” Although he doesn’t sport a leather jacket and a motorcycle daily, you can tell who he is because he is the smallest pony here. Spike came to us through great friends of Windrush. He was owned by the Eddy family, long-time Windrush volunteers and supporters. Both of the Eddy daughters, Dale and Eliza, grew up riding Spike.
Clocking in at a towering 13.1, Spike does not lack in personality. What is the way to this bad boy’s heart? Nilla wafers! When he was at GMHA camp with one of the Eddy daughters, he would open up some of the kids’ tack trunks to get at them!
There is no lack of talent here. Spike has excelled at many competitions and camps in dressage. Spike is also a very talented jumper, unless, so I have been told, the jump has hay bales under it, Barbie dolls on it, or pink and white poles. In his defense, bad boys aren’t supposed to like Barbie dolls!
So what’s the silver lining in all of this, you ask? Spike produces good, confident, talented riders without even trying. Spike would just brush his shoulder off if asked, but the proof is clear. It takes determination, heart, and a good sport to master this pony, but once you gain Spike’s respect, you will be a better horse person for it!