Saying goodbye to our horse friend Rich. He’s riding horses in heaven now.
Hannah McKinney working with Freya, Winter 2025
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Back from the Jungle!
Hello White Sulphur Springs Freya fans. It feels so good to be back out in the corral working with Freya. The last time I published a blog was in October. Since that time, I was busy with the WSS Christmas season, and then away for most of the winter on sabbatical. Before I bring a Freya update, let me tell you about my adventures.
Beginning my sabbatical on January 31, one of the first things my husband Mark and I did was go to the memorial of Richard Kurz, a WSS guest, lover of our horse program and the adopter of Koa, our big Belgian. We transitioned Koa into retirement at the end of summer 2023. We rehomed Koa to Katy Pistole’s ministry home, Beautiful Brokenness in Louisa County, Virginia so that Rich could care for Koa. https://beautifulbrokenness.org/ You can see Koa and Rich’s story here https://youtu.be/bSYp3hAL_No Rich is now riding horses in heaven.
Following Rich’s memorial service, I headed off to Pawleys Island for a week of R&R with my husband Mark. Lots of special dinners and Rummikub games. On Valentine’s Day my mom and I boarded a plane(s) to Cusco, Peru. The following 2 weeks were such a special time with mom. We made lots of little day trips from our hotel in Urubamba, and ultimately climbed our way up to Machu Picchu. Our guide, Silberio, helped us scale the many steps to the top, and explained to us the history and traditions of the Incan people from whom he was descended.
On March 2nd I flew out to Iquitos, Peru, the location of the confluence of the mighty Amazon river. I spent the following month in a treehouse in the jungle. My daughter joined me for a week and then I was three weeks on my own. Being in the jungle is living the contrast of the beautiful flora and fauna, and the terrifying flora and fauna. The jungle is alive with sound and life- it sings to you. It was also the rainy season, and I was able to hear many thunderstorms roll through. I spent my time trekking through the jungle looking for animals, fruit and bugs. But I spent more time in boats visiting the lagoons and canals that open during this season. I had to rely on my guide for safety and wisdom. To his credit, I did not get bit by anything larger than an ant or mosquito (of which there are MANY.)
I saw many varieties of monkeys, snakes, spiders, sloths, porcupine, caiman, lizards, fish, dolphin, etc. And yes, piranha. I did go swimming almost every day and learned where it was safe to swim or not.
As I think about it, my heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for the time I had with the Lord. I spent many hours, day and night, with Him in close communion. And I was blessed by Him in so many tangible ways. My heart rested.
And now we are back in the saddle again, literally. We, myself and Wrangler Staff, are working with Freya in the corral. We are transferring the cues from riding her on the ground, to being up in the saddle, – go left, go right, back-up, spin around, and the all-important WHOA!
Freya continues to entertain us with charisma and charm. She has more personality than should be in one horse. She’s a love, she’s a goof and she is made of golden stuff.
God bless you and thank you for reading the Freya blog – teaching a little BIG horse.
An assortment of photos from my sabbatical (and a few cute ones of Freya sleeping.)
