3R Lady

In February of 1976 a sorrel filly with a blaze face was born at the 3R Ranch. She was born in the front yard of a little girl who lived and breathed horses. There was 750 acres of ranch land, but only the front yard was good enough for the 3R Lady.  

The filly grew up along with a 10 year old little girl. The two became fast friends. They would play together, run, and nap side by side. There was no need to halter break the filly, because she followed her two legged buddy everywhere. Only her mother’s milk could separate them for a brief moment. Many nights the two shared under the stars of Texas.  

The filly grew into a beautiful mare. At the age of two she was sent to the race track. She went for training to learn how to run. She was only gone for a few months. You see this sweet girl had a club foot. Trainers advised her owners that she would never be a race horse. Home she was headed to a budding young girl. Those two months had seemed like forever to the girl. Forever was forgotten when the 3R Lady got off the trailer.  

When you are twelve you have endless amounts of hope, and dreams of being the best at whatever you do. Being the only girl in this family made getting your way easy. Granddad could not say no to having the mare sent to barrel training. Mind you this trainer lived 20 minutes from the ranch. Close enough that the two could be trained together. Once again they would start a journey.  

Soon the two were turn'n and burn'n! They attended schools, and clinics at the Josey Ranch. During a school the pair encountered some hard luck. The 3R Lady had stifle problems.
She would require surgery immediately! A quick recovery was made, and the duo was going again.  

The past began to haunt the couple. The leg with the club foot was not holding out. It was fine for light hauling, but could not hold up for the high school rodeo circuit. The now teenage girl went back to the Josey Ranch and purchased another horse. In the hopes she could ease the load on her dearest friend.  

Down the interstate we went. Life in the fast lane it was. Faster times were needed to win. That meant the search was on for another faster horse. One was found! Finances to buy the horse were not all there, so a trade was in order. To the bargaining table went the 3R Lady, along with several others. Once again forever was forgotten.  

The teenage girl went on to win local rodeos. The 3R Lady went on to win the Ark-La-Tex barrel association numerous times. Saddles, money, and belt buckles, and the hearts of several young girls, were all won by the 3R Lady.  

In time the mare’s knees would give no more. Her owners would retire her and breed her. Now a mother once again she proved herself to be a winner. She produced several fillies and colts. One stud who is standing in East Texas, and a gelding that is a NFR barrel horse. Her last foal would be a black and white paint. After his birth she could not stand to care for him. Her owner would fill in her for her until she could care for Calhoun. The colt like his mother bonded with his surrogate caretaker. "He has been in my hip pocket every since" said Ms. Freeman.  

The 3R Lady was sold one more time in the hopes she could have one more foal. This was not possible, and she was humanely put down at the age of 22. There is a big girl who is both happy and sad. I am happy that she placed many smiles on young girls and proud parents. You see the 3R Lady AKA Blaze, would never have endured the road she went down if it were for my dreams to be better then everyone else. In the style of the true friend she was to me. In her death she has taught me something. I should have known by now. Your dreams are not sweet without your true friends there to enjoy them with you.  

Blaze the little girl that you did the most for was me. Those long walks we took together will never be forgotten. You kept all my secrets, and I kept my sanity. Forever you will never be forgotten.  

Written By   Laura Rodgers