The Day You Walked Into My Life

—Madonna Wise

I wanted a quarter horse with the lineage of the renowned horse, Rugged Lark. It was my dream and I had been gaga over Rugged Lark for many years. His Ocala owner, legendary horsewoman Carol Harris, said that living with Rugged Lark was like living with Elvis; he was a superstar in the horse world. He had personality, talent and flair. In American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) terminology, he was a three-time World Champion who had earned the distinction World Super Horse. That is among millions of horses! The stallion could do it all, an unusual resume for a horse. He was stellar at reining, driving, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, trail and barrel racing, and pulled off antic tricks as only a brilliant horse can.

I came face-to-face with him only once, at Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus Ohio, and meeting him did not disappoint. I found him relaxing with Carol in a decorated stall exhibit befitting a king; Carol was hand feeding him a piece of Fiddle Faddle. Although he had the look and demeanor of a supreme athlete, he eyed everyone who stopped by to see him with genuine interest. One could see that this guy had personality.

Perhaps I made a blunder when I told my friend and work colleague, Nancy Perkins, whom I consider a gifted horsewoman in her own right, about my dream of owning a Rugged Lark baby. After all, I had a bomb-proof, loving quarter horse named Kachina Star who served my needs. Kachina had taught my kids how to ride with her forgiving patience and was a member of my family in so many ways. An injury incurred before she came to us left her non-show-worthy and limited in a few areas, but she fulfilled my horse addiction and rounded out my family. She was loved beyond belief.

I have been a dyed-in-the-wool horsewoman since age two, always spending time with, around, and interacting with horses. I even liked feeding them, cleaning their stalls and just hanging out with them. I have known some extraordinary horses in my time, among them ponies, draft horse mixes, and even three pedigreed quarter horses. At first I rode bareback; then I drove my Shetland pony, Silver, to harvest tomatoes from our family fields. After that I learned to ride properly from a Purdue Vet student, Lee Dittmar, and his accomplished equestrian wife, Sharon. More recently a neighbor, Loretta, coaxed me to take dressage lessons with Kachina for competition.

One day Nancy revealed she knew of a Rugged Lark offspring that she thought I should just take a look at. I responded with disbelief—truly in denial. Feeling like seeing her would be like peeking in an imaginary snow globe, I wrote down the phone number.

Meekly and casually, I informed my husband about the filly, trying to act very nonchalant.  He said, “Well, what is the harm in looking at her? Let’s go see her.” A husband who indulges his partner’s passion like this is beyond belief! Soon after, we drove to the Florida town of Wildwood and located the horse barn. There she was. Her name was Lark’s Moment in Time. The name said it all! The filly had been trained in reining and found not to be a fierce competitor, so the owner wanted her to go to someone seeking a pleasure horse. She was trained but not finished. She had the look of her sire but a lovely kindness about her that drew me in. The barn owner gave us the price, and I explained we had just wanted to see her. We spent some time with her and then went on our way.

The price was more than I could imagine spending on a horse, and although reasonable, was out of the question. Even though my husband was encouraging, I vetoed any further consideration in order to be practical. This extravagant expense was not for us.

Six weeks later, the filly walked into my life, quite literally. My husband had somehow engineered a way to purchase Lark’s Moment in Time for me to celebrate our wedding anniversary in December. He arranged for the barn to deliver her to our house. So, as I was mucking out Kachina’s stall, I saw a truck and horse trailer pull up in front of our pasture. As I started down the lane to explain to them that they had the wrong house, I saw the lovely bay filly being unloaded from the trailer. She was unmistakable! The handler was walking her toward our house, and we met in the middle. He said, “Special delivery…here is Lark’s Moment in Time, arriving at her new home.”

I can say that my Lark was a kind and true friend. Feeding her everyday was a joy for me. Caring for her was one of my greatest pleasures in life. When I introduced her to my four-year old granddaughter, she graciously gave her a ride. My older daughter attended many a horse show with her; she was a wonderful partner who was loved in her training and showing days. She was family— the sheer pleasure of my life. Lark was like a polished diamond for me, a true treasure.

As she aged, I literally counted the days I would have with her. On senior feed with more filing of teeth, we both weathered the effects of aging. Optimistically, I anticipated she would be with me until she was thirty, a hefty age for a horse, but still Lark would make it.  With few ailments, she had been in magnificent health, so as she was approaching 23 in May of 2018, I still rode her. We were growing old together, and she was a part of my life every day. A dream come true!

On Easter Sunday, the story altered. My little grandson noticed her just before the egg hunt was to begin. She was rolling violently—a vicious bout of colic, a pesky horse ailment for sure, but one that had only inflicted Lark once before in her life. I knew immediately this was gravely serious. Neighbors and family helped me get her to her feet. I barked orders to everyone—get the Banamine® (a common anti-inflammatory drug), call the vet and tell her it’s a serious emergency—and please call Nancy. I walked Lark (as one does for a colic) and kept repeating over and over to her, “Stay with me, Lark. You stay with me. I’m not letting you go.” My daughters stood by me, offering to take over the walking, but I wouldn’t budge. I instinctively knew this was all I could do for her. I wasn’t giving it up to anybody else…

Our dear sweet Vet, Jessica DeBruler, arrived at our house within 45 minutes. Lark was steadier on her feet, so I had a bit of hope, but Jessica’s kind face said it all—elevated heart rate, a twisted small intestine and stress. You need to get her to the Peterson Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala or the Brandon Surgical Center now. We were off to the Surgical Center within the hour. And yes, my dear friend, Nancy Perkins was accompanying me.

The rest is a bit of a blur…

Yes, Lark’s Moment in Time was a prophetic name. Her stall mate Dually and I comforted each other for days. He spent time standing in Lark’s stall, hanging out with me, sniffing everything Lark—grieving right along with me. For a long while I existed in a daze—remembering—reminiscing. My dream horse walked into my life and left those beautiful hoof prints on my heart. I thank dear Lark for bringing me so many dreams come true.

Madonna Jervis Wise is an accomplished educator, researcher, historian, counselor and author of numerous books from national publisher Arcadia Publishing & History Press, including the only histories published on both Dade City and Wesley Chapel and a haunted history of Pasco County. Madonna holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Taylor University and a master’s degree from the University of South Florida. Her distinguished career in education includes serving as a district school administrator and school-based administrator in both Pasco and Polk County as well as Florida Virtual School.

Madonna has been an avid equestrian since she was a young child, and spends time riding her equestrian partner (horse) Presley in dressage and trail. They recently garnered a high placing in trail at the World Equestrian Center in September of 2024. Madonna and her husband, Ernest have collected historical photographs throughout the area and have taught classes on Florida Frontier History for OLLI. She is the proud mother to three practicing attorneys in the Tampa Bay area who serve their communities.