I grew up riding. In about 1985, it became possible for me to start riding again. I didn't buy a horse right away; there were several horses at my home for me to ride, and I took lessons for a long time. I bought an unsuitable horse right when I got pregnant (it is easier to buy an unsuitable horse than you would think.) At any rate, I was given the use of one of the most remarkable horses I have ever known, Casey at the Bat. Casey was a Morgan-Arab cross--he was foaled at CalPoly in probably 1975 or so.
Casey was ardent, opinionated, argumentative, and a lot of fun. He belonged to a woman I won't name, as I don't know how she feels about privacy. Casey was a lower-level 3-day horse for most of his career. (All photos courtesy of Sheri Scott, a gifted professional photographer.)
Eventing at the upper levels is not for the faint of heart. But the lower levels, where we competed, was a lot of fun. This is Casey at the dressage phase, wherein the horse and rider perform a proscribed pattern of turns and changes of gait. 
. I can see that we are making a left circle in canter, probably 20 meters. You can see Casey's usual attitude toward dressage: ears back, back dropped. He was incredibly hard to get and keep "on the bit."
Cross country (galloping long distances between fences set on natural ground) was Casey's big enthusiasm, as you can see from this picture. 
His ears are pricked and he's jumping well.
Stadium jumping is again jumping, but in an arena, with related distances between the fences. 
Casey was pretty enthusiastic about stadium, as well, but didn't get as strong as he did cross country.
Casey was retired in 1999, and died a few years later. Thanks, old friend, for all the happy hours.
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