PEPPER | 8 YEAR OLD THOROUGHBRED
| GEORGETOWN,KY
Pepper, Chili Pepper, is a 8 year old Thoroughbred Mare.
Pepper is owned by Stephanie, the owner and trainer at Graystone Stable in Georgetown,KY. The pair does lower level eventing. Pepper is a feisty red headed mare that enjoys a good buck and rear under saddle, but Pepper’s real story is so much more than just that.
Pepper has been with Stephanie for 6 years. Stephanie picked her up as a 2 year old as a project horse because she was not going to race. Pepper quickly developed a relationship with Stephanie’s fiance, Shawn. Shawn would ride her bareback and take her on trail rides, Pepper always took care of Shawn. Not long after Pepper came into their lives, Shawn was diagnosed with cancer. “Pepper was his escape from the hospital bed, blood tests and drugs. When he couldn’t sleep he went to the barn to feed her carrots. When he had a bit of energy he would hop on her for a hack and she would take care of him. Shawn loved her up until the day he died. Pepper is not my horse she is forever Shawn’s horse.”
This feisty mare was truly a saint for Shawn.
“Peppers biggest accomplishment was being a therapy horse. She was for Shawn and still is for me a great shoulder to cry on. She could bring a smile to Shawn’s face no matter how he was feeling and for this I will be eternally grateful, no matter how hard she plays with me under saddle.”
Stephanie shares her favorite memory about Pepper and Shawn, “Shawn, myself and a few barn girls decided to go to a local equestrian park for a hack one day. Shawn had to wear a mask because he had finished a bone marrow transplant several months ago. All the horses were pretty feisty that day because the weather was cool. Pepper was calm and so well behaved, like she knew that he was not very strong. I can clearly remember yelling Shawn don’t jump this don’t jump that, she has never seen most cross country jumps at this point. But pepper continued to impress me by hopping over everything like a seasoned pro. Such a special mare.”
Time and time again I am blown away by horse’s special ability to read people and to just take care of people. Horses are truly the world’s greatest therapist, wether you need a best friend, a shoulder to cry on, or just an escape from reality.
What a touching story. What a beautiful horse and what a special horse that took such good care of Shawn. Love it ❤️️
Thank You seems like such small words. The Tribute of Pepper and Shawn brought many tears to my eyes and my broken heart. Stephanie told me about this tribute a while back, but I never imagined the impact it would have on me and the memories of my son, Shawn and the love he had for Pepper. She was the one Shawn turned to when he needed an escape from all of the doctors, hospitals and the unfairness of his cancer. I saw him crying on her neck one day after one of his appointment we had just returned from. Pepper leaned into him closer as she understood his need to just be himself. It touched my heart to know my son had someone special in his life he trusted completely where he could let his guard down. Shawn always wanted to protect Stephanie and myself and be there for us even when it was not a good day for him.
Shawn was my only child and I called him My Favorite Son and I was His Favorite Mom. I miss him every part of every day. Shawn fell in love with horse when he was three years old and his love continued through his life. Pepper was his one true love Stephanie was his soulmate.
Thank you for my heart for this tribute to my son, Shawn and his love of Pepper.
Shawn’s mom, Danita Doerre
Love this story! Such a special horse. Animals know.
We’re all so grateful Pepper has been there to comfort Shawn and Stephanie, and bring smiles to all of us with her antics. She’s definitely a spirited girl, but of course it only makes sense she would be the horse in the barn he fell in love with — after all, Stephanie is pretty spirited, too.
Beautiful story & a beautiful horse!
Shawn and Pepper had an amazing bond. I was blessed to be able to witness their bond.
What a beautiful story and beautiful horse!
Beautiful photos to match a beautiful and heart warming story.
Wonderful photos and moving story.
Witnessing the bond between Shawn and Pepper firsthand was one of my most treasured memories in my life. She adored him and would do anything for him, even if she wouldn’t for the rest of us! Shawn’s sense of humor was not lost on her. I remember when he came home with a zebra printed anti-fly outfit for her. He laughed and laughed at how the get-up spooked all of our horses while Pepper happily grazed in her field, oblivious to the chaos! When you look in this mare’s eyes, you see her depth, her soul. She is a special one.
Thank you for taking these amazing photos!!