ZANS SKIP TO MY LOU | 24-YEAR-OLD QUARTER HORSE MARE | CREIGHTON, MO

Zans Skip To My Lou, fondly known as “Midget” is a 24-year-old reining and cutting-bred Quarter Horse. Midget lives in Creighton, Mo., where she is loved by her person, Chantal.

Midget and Chantal have been together for more than two decades and have learned a lot over the years. Midget is Chantal’s first horse, and together they have competed in reining and in 4-H, where Midget was an all-around horse. Chantal still remembers the first day they met.

“We went to Columbia, Mo., to try her out at a NRHA show with 20+ riders of all ages riding their horse all around us spinning, sliding and running fast circles. She was an ANGEL!” said Chantal. “Midget was 3 at the time and I was 9 years old. Probably the worst combination anyone would ever put together but we got along so well! We went home with her that day! She has been the best horse I could have ever asked and I hope that one day when I have kids that I can find them the same kind of horse/pony!”

The pair were Champions for the National Reining Horse Association in the 13 and under division in 1998, as well as lots of first-place ribbons in 4-H.

Chantal’s father was a trainer, so she was riding before she could walk, and owned horses with her father through the years.

“I will never be without a horse!” she said. Horses have been my sanctuary in the madness of life from the ups to the downs. They are my biggest root to my family history and that is something I can never forget and is my favorite thing about them.”

These days, Midget is almost completely retired, but she still gets called into service now and then if another little girl or boy wants a ride.

“She can be quite a crab but is always my go-to for kids to ride,” said Chantal, who describes Midget in one word as a “saint.”