08/25/2026
Some horses are more than horses. Kid Mac was one of those horses.
He was 24 years old when I laid him to rest today. From 2008 to 2018, he was my barrel horse, my partner, and the one I trusted to take me into the arena and give me everything he had. And he always did. He never asked for much in return. Just a job, a little trust, and the chance to run fast and be my partner.
We got Kid in 2005 for just $600 after he had spent the first 2 yrs of his life on pasture, forgotten with a bunch of cows. We sent him to Gil Stoner out in Uvalde, TX for 7 months of training and he came back one of the best horses we ever had. My mom gave him to me in 2008, that’s when I began racing him. In 2012, he was brutally attacked by bees and took a year off, but came back in 2013 stronger than ever. In 2015 he even qualified for the NBHA World Championship. He raced for 3 more years after that before we decided to retire him. Sadly, arthritis and the pain made his barrel racing days a thing of the past, and in the last couple years even walking became difficult. Today, I had to love him enough to let him go.
There is no easy way to bury a horse who carried so many pieces of your life, but there is something I want to remember, too. I am not just an artist who paints cowgirls and horses.
I am a cowgirl.
I have lived the miles I paint. I’ve sat in the saddle. I’ve raced. I’ve worked with horses. I’ve known the thrill of a good run and the heartbreak of saying goodbye. I’ve felt the bond that exists between a horse and the person who asks him to give everything.
Kid gave me that. He gave me ten years in the arena and a lifetime of memories.
So when you see a horse in my art, know that I’m not painting something I simply admire from a distance.
I’m painting a life I’ve been lucky enough to live. Touched by these angels on 4 legs that have taught me both grit and grace.
Today, I’m painting with a little more heartbreak in my heart. I saved a small piece of him to carry with me always.
Run free, Kid. 🐎
You gave me everything.
I hope I gave you enough in return. 🤎🕊️
