My Cousin Vinnie: Page 3

But this was not to be the end of Vinnie! He detested pasture! He hated the heat, the cold, the flies and doing nothing. He walked the fence and screamed to be included in something. He needed a job!

A baby had been born at the farm and needed a ‘sitter’ to help him through the weaning process. Vinnie had always loved foals, so now he had a job with helping Recital to grow up independently. He loved the little guy and was a perfect companion for him until Recital was big enough to start his own career.

Next came Mini Vinnie—a mirror image of Vinnie. A chestnut with a blaze and two white stockings behind. Again, Vinnie was the perfect ‘sitter’, playing with Mini Vinnie and teaching him to be confident. Mini Vinnie is now under saddle and displaying much of Vinnie’s attitudes and behavior patterns. Could it be . . . ??

Without anymore babies to care for, it was thought that Vinnie could be a lesson horse. Well, Vinnie was never so insulted in his life! The very idea of him lowering himself to people bouncing around the ring all day on his back? Vinnie would have none of that and he made it quite clear by simply ignoring everyone and standing in the corner pouting or depositing his riders on their derriere and trotting off to his stall.

So what could Vinnie do that would give him the self gratification he sought and not tax him too much physically? Well, he packed up and moved to the rolling green hills of Pennsylvania with the Meloy’s. Ken, a Mason, and twice Chief Aide to his Shrine’s Potentate, belongs to his Shrine’s (Zembo) Mounted Patrol who competes in parades. All the horses in ZMP are chestnuts with blazes and white feet. Perfect. He’s in the front row coming down the street with Ken carrying a flag (sometimes the American) and all the people are cheering and clapping and he is back (in his own mind) at the ribbon ceremonies as he prances proudly along. He does drill competition with ZMP and at home, goes on trail rides or relaxes in pasture with a young horse.

Vinnie has twice marched in the Hambletonian kickoff parade and in 2007 helped ZMP win the Mid Atlantic Shrine Assn. Drill Competition Trophy as well as the Parade Trophy. In 2008 Ken and Vinnie competed in some small shows in Adult Walk Trot classes gathering ribbons everywhere they went. Janet fusses over him so that his every wish is fulfilled. What a life for such a special horse.

After Vinnie’s retirement from eventing Sean, who claims he has never felt the same about another horse, also gave up eventing. He is now pursuing a career with reining horses.

Go To Vinnie's Photo Gallery