This is Sonrisa's Diary. Read along and follow her story...

Sonrisa's mom- Nebu was bought by me in March 06. I knew she was due soon and this mare who was untrusting, not fond of people, but with very kind eyes, spoke to me when I first saw her. So, to help a friend, I bought her. I set out to gain some trust just in time for the foal to be born.

Sonrisa's sire- Temerario X- Andalusian Stallion

Sonrisa is only a couple of hours old. She was born around 6am on Easter 4/16/06. She looks just like her daddy!

After making sure she was in good health, we went in for some human bonding time. We messed with her feet, her ears, rubbed all over her body and face. But only long enough to not bother her mother. Nebu.

  After a vet check from Dr. Freeland at 24 hours old, she was allowed to head outside for her first run 4/17/06. Nebu was always close by. At this point we would not force ourselves on Sonrisa, but would love on her when she came to us.

Growing like a weed and knowing her mom is 17 hands and her dad is 16+ hands, we started to teach her to lead with a halter in May. We made sure not to pull back on her head but to pull forward with a rope that was around her rear end. At this point she has been introduced to tons of people. I wanted her to be friendly and happy around everyone. She is already very trusting. She did have some moments of kicking with her hind legs, but after a firm smack on the rump, that problem stopped.

In June Sonrisa was moved to my new barn. I took out the center divider of my trailer and left her loose in the trailer with her mom tied as usual. At this point she was changing colors- we thought she was going to be gray. She could barely get her head out the stall window. She was used to the halter and leadrope and we would use it to turn her out and bring her back in.

In August I started turning her out with Nebulous. I was more affraid Nebu would not like my other horses more then they would hurt Sonrisa. I took my time and all went well. Some running and kicking but nothing too serious. We knew at this point she was going to be a bay. Her black points were coming in strong and her curosity often got the best of her. As a way to test the limits of her separation from Nebu, I would leave Reese- (her pet name) loose in the isle while I worked and Nebu in the stall. I did not want her to get hurt but I wanted her to learn to be away from her mom on her own.

By October 2006 I had started the weaning process. She was a huge filly for her age. Already 13.2 at 6 months old. She stands well for the farrier, cross ties, hates baths and was starting to load well into the horse trailer. I will say, because she is mine, This was her ugly months. Her head was huge, her butt to high and her ears too long. If anyone else says that to me I would be mad!!

My horse Handsome had claimed her as his own for weaning. He took great care to protect her and keep her from harm. It was very touching to watch.

January 2007- Sonrisa is 14 hands high at the rear and very loving, but stubborn. Nothing seems to effect her, good or bad. She was having a hard time with weaning. She was fine in another pasture, but because my pastures are all in view of each other, the weaning was limited to all but sight. She would only go into areas of the pastures that would keep her in view of her mother. So on January 21st Encore Stables- had a stall available and I moved her there for further experience and a final weaning. 1/26/07- she is doing great. She loves all the attention she is getting at Encore, its not often a 9 month old horse gets to board at a nice barn like this. Everyone wants to see her. She is turned out by herself and is learning alot. I think its good that she learns from other people besides myself. I finally recieved her breeding papers. It has taken nine months and I learned a lesson- get the papers signed after breeding - not after foaling. Granted the stallion owner did not know me, but nine months is a long time to wait. I have sent them off the the Andalusian Association and Sonrisa TLM will be registered a half andalusian. She is actually a Spanish Norman, but because Nebu is not a registered Percheron she cannot be registered as one. Nebu is an American Warmblood now, but that does not count.

August 2007- Sonrisa is now registered and I have her papers to prove it. Finally!! She is almost 14 months old and still growing. At almost 14.3 hands she is a big filly. She is very well mannered and loves to be handled. She is not fond on bathing in the wash rack, but will let you bath her in the driveway?? I do not understand that. Lately I have been getting her ready for a big Andalusian Show that will be in Lexington VA on Aug 24-26th. So we are working on trailering- which is great. I took her to the Biltmore Estate with Handsome and we went on an hour long trail ride. Then today she went to her first horseshow at the WNC Ag Center. It was a western show, but how else can I get her in a ring with a showing atmosphere. It was fine and she was a good girl. We are trying an open show on Sunday and will try again.

March 2008- Sonrisa is now 15.3 hands tall and weighs 985 pounds. She is getting bigger everyday. Currently she is in her terrible two's and act likes she owns the world. However, to her credit, she trailers, ties, stand for the farrier and has very good ground manners. She has had a saddle on her back, but will not be ridden until she is three or four. She is somehow always the first one in from the pasture and no one challenges her. I am affraid thins may change when her mother has another foal at her side.  Sonrisa did spend two months at Encore Stables to ensure the weaning process back in Jan. - Feb of 2007.  We had a fun time at the Andalusian show in Lexington, VA. She was fourth in her classes with me as the handler. I do feel that the judge was against half bred Andalusions and she certainly did not give Sonrisa the credit she deserved. In spite of all that, because of our ribbons at this show. Sonrisa TLM was awarded 2007 USEF Region 7 Horse of the Year award for Fillies two and under, amature to handle. YEAH. Nothing like a national title under your belt before age two!! I look forward to the future with this mare and hope she will go on to great things.