The day my biggest dream came true was 26th June 2026. The days leading up to that moment were filled with excitement, nervousness and sleepless nights. I couldn’t believe that the day had ever arrived.
Working with Phantom and Da Vinci for the past two months taught me a lot about patience, growth and understanding. I learnt from them that if you are just quiet and still and your mind is focused on the present moment; you can more than understand them.
I was more nervous about Phantom than anything else. The time to ride Phantom was creeping up on me, and the more I thought about it, the more anxious I felt.
Despite all my efforts to work with her on the ground and helping her understand that tack is not a bad thing nor will it hurt her. Fear of riding her was still residing in me.
The situation of finally taking Phantom and Da Vinci home was solely forged in me eventually being able to ride her. The plan was to get her ready and rideable, with the help and support of Jean, before officially adopting them.
Of course, we were successful. The day came and my heart was exploding with happiness. After all the effort of preparing our field next door, after all our efforts in groundwork with both horses and finally mentally preparing myself, the most significant day finally arrived.
I will never forget the events, the feelings that I was experiencing and the small details of both being led into the horse box. The staff at SAID had kindly assisted, and Da Vinci was the one who went first. He didn’t go in immediately, as he was a bit cautious and hesitant, but with some encouragement from behind, he stepped in and we closed the chain from behind him.
I honestly expected a big fight from Phantom, we all did, knowing her temperament, and for her to be scared and wary. I thought it would take an hour to try convince her to get in. So, when she walked in without the slightest hint of doubt or hesitation, my heart was instantly warmed with joy and gratitude. That small moment had a bigger impact on my story than anyone would ever have thought. She proved to me that I was making the right choice and following the right path.
Driving behind the horse box was exhilarating and all too memorable. I could not wait for them to be unloaded and for them to see their new home. I think we were all buzzing with nerves and excitement. My angels were finally being taken to their forever home.
When we arrived at the field, my joy continued to increase. Opening the gate for Jean to drive through, watching them unbox and wondering what they were thinking and feeling. My only hope was that they would be happy in their new home, and happy that I was the one who could provide a safe space.
They didn’t immediately dash away, or gallop, they simply began exploring and smelling their new environment. Jean had assured me that they would definitely be happier with me here than they ever were at SAID, especially with a much larger space to roam and occupy. I remember thanking Jean about ten times and waving at him goodbye. My horses were here and peace had come with them.
I tried not to overcrowd them or overwhelm them too much but also wanted to reassure them that they were safe with me, and that I am the same person that they used to see practically everyday at SAID. Luckily to prevent myself from jumping and screaming at them, I had a padel game booked with my mom. Jean had warned me that they may be difficult to catch initially, considering they are in a new environment that they don’t know, which I found to be half true, as on that same day I did manage to lightly wrap a lead rope around Phantom’s neck so that she could be introduced to my family.
It truly was a special day that I will never forget. Although looking back on all of it now, I did also basically sign myself up to never be able to sleep in again! I am the one that has chosen this, so I must be the one to get up early and feed them every morning. Maybe one day in the future I will be able to hire help, especially when more horses join the herd, but for now it’s just us three, and that is enough at the moment.
That evening when the sun was setting, everyone had gone home and I had just finished feeding them, Phantom let me stand with her and take the gorgeous view in. I gave her shoulder scratches while talking to her, and she was moving her lips weirdly as she tends to do when I’ve found her spot, and we watched the moon rise and brighten as the colours of the sun began to fade.
I breathed her in and gave her a hug. She is my bright star when darkness appears, my guiding light when doubt creeps in and my best friend. Phantom – my miracle.
