At 15, she had completely lost interest in the show ring. Looking for a solution for the next part of the journey, I came across an old friend, Nancy Paschall, and Dream Catcher’s Therapeutic Riding center. I called. Soon afterward, Sassy became a Dream Catchers’ mount and in the 5 ½ years she spent there, helped many people become more confident and independent. Her giving spirit was perfect for the job. In the past couple years, Sassy has been a pasture pet – soaking up the sun on the side of the big hill in Brandy Station, wandering around at home, and most recently hanging out with the girls on Olympic Way. But now it’s time for this journey’s end. To the very Special Lady: -Sue McCoy Fanelli
OFFSPRING
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It was an afternoon in early October. I was
tacking up her father when she came to the gate – less than a week old,
and pawed at it, demanding attention. I looked up at her and said “Hello,
Sassy!”… and that’s how she got her barn name. Her registered name was
a tribute to her parents, Jet of Nights and Duke’s Special, both of
whom had dams with “Lady” in their names. We didn’t know then how well
it would fit – Jet’s Special Lady. 
She was the first horse I started myself, and
there was never a time when I felt like I was in any danger. At age
4, she was reserve Lite Shod 3-gait High Point horse – both open and
amateur – in South Carolina. Soon afterward, my daughter decided she
wanted to show her, and eventually took over the reins in the show ring
almost entirely. Sassy did it all – from rail to versatility. We showed
her in dressage, jumping, trail obstacle, pleasure driving, and rail
and model classes. I even evented her once (in a trotting division,
the only gaited horse in the show). Anything we asked was greeted with
an attitude of “OK, if that’s what you like, then that’s what we’ll
do”. She won multiple National High Point titles in Youth 3-gaitand
over fences classes, as well as several National blues. She trail rode
and pulled her buggy down the roads at home. 
She gave us two babies. Gen Saturday Nite Special
(Pistol) and Across the Rubicon (Rubin). Rubin is the light of my life.
His massive size at birth caused some internal damage and we made the
decision not to breed again. 
