In Memory of Fran...

On April 24, 2008 we lost one of our dearest friends, Fran McAleer to cancer. My husband, Kevin and I met Fran and her husband, Sam in 1991 when they invited us to stay on their farm. Fran was like a second mom to both of us and never hesitated to tell us what was on her mind and how things should be done! Fran was a great friend, "Mom" and mentor to both of us and a great "Aunt Fran" to our children.

Over the years, Fran drifted away from horses and then drifted back again - like anyone with the horse bug - she couldn't stay away for long. Fran and I spent some time with driving horses and ponies, and had a blast competing in Combined Driving Events. We even got into Pinto minis together. But we both found our true love with the American Paint Horse. Fran and I spent many years and many miles on the road going to shows together, staying up all hours of the night waiting for the next foal and tearfully watching our "babies" go to their new "show homes". When "Wheres The Judge" was born on May 6th 1995 (Derby day that year!) we both knew where we wanted to go next - showing our own stallion and breeding our own stallion, to our own mares. Our very first paint that we trained, showed and sold together was "Bailey Boone McCue" - she was sold to Angela Balmes in Massachusetts - who became one of mine and Fran's closest friends.

Fran's battle with cancer was extremly short - but that's what she would have wanted. I can hear her voice in my head - "If I ever get to that point - just let me die and go have a margarita to remember me by!"

I miss Fran more than words can express. There are so many days when I want to call her up and say "another mare was checked in foal today!" or "Guess how good so and so did at their most recent Paint show!" I know it's going to feel like something is missing next spring when I don't hear her saying "You better call me when that mare goes down to foal!"

But I also know that she is always there in spirit with every new foal that is born and every accomplishment that "our babies" make in the show ring.