Man O' War (Leslie's)

Leslie's Man O' War (and in beautiful shape!)

 Man O' War, #47, 1967 - 1995, early piece as only as round Breyer Molding Company stamp, Leslie's childhood collection.

Proud Arabian Stallion (Leslie's)

This piece has mold/mildew spots, but I currently have it in a sunny window and hope that will take care of that. Another piece that belonged to Leslie, although I do not think I ever had it in my collection prior to this.

 Proud Arabian Stallion, #211, 1971 - 1976/1978 - 1981. with mane and tail stripes. I am sure this piece was produced and in Leslie's collection before 1976.

Western Prancer (Leslie's)

Another from Leslie. I think I had this one, too, and returned it in 1998 for unknown reasons. Saddle is missing, but if I remember right, I have one tucked away in a box in my closet. It may belong to this piece.

 Cheyenne/Western Prancing Horse, #110, 1963 - 1986. From Leslie's childhood collection.

 Notice the drainboard pattern on the bottom of his hooves and the belly drip and raised foreleg drip.

Smoke Running Mare (Leslie's)

From my sister's childhood collection. She gave me this piece years ago but for some reason, I took it back to our parents' home in 1998 (judging by the newspaper it was wrapped in.)

 Sugar/Running Mare, #121, 1961/63 - 1970, smoke.

Me & Annie Oakley

What girl from my generation didn't know who Annie Oakley was?

Back in the 1960s, I had a cowgirl outfit my mother made (complete with a felt hat) and a "pearl" handled cap gun. My sister, Leslie, had the same, and we spent hours together cantering around the yard on our pretend cowponies doing our cowgirl duties and shooting 'em up, just like Annie did.

So, when I was asked to loan some of my horse collection for a display with Annie Oakley's things, I wasn't going to decline!

They are currently included in an exhibit at the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association's annual get together and competitive shoot along with artifacts loaned by the Annie Oakley Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Association.

(The common denominator? My sister, and fellow cowgirl, Leslie, who else?)

I have to admit, I am really excited that some of my horses are being included with an exhibit of Annie Oakley's things!

 One of the two glass display cases of my collection. (I am trying to get Leslie to take a photo of the second one.)

 Antique sidesaddles and rifles.

 Some of Annie Oakley's personal items.

 Literature on display.

Leslie and Rick walking through the display while a visitor examines rifles.

Not sure who these folks are, but you can see the second glass case with my horses in the background.

I also loaned Leslie some horses that I keep for my grandchildren to play with - pieces that are okay to be "loved hard" and can handle being galloped across the carpet. There is an area in the exhibit for children to do some hands on things, and they are being used in there. She called last night and said the display has been a big hit, and that the children especially are enjoying the horses.

Yep, me and Annie Oakley, together at last. And riding into the sunset after we've done our cowgirl duties.