By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

My name is Bird and I am two years old. I live on a farm in Purcellville, Virginia, with my mama and my daddy. We have lots of dogs, cats, horses, goats and chickens. I like to feed the chickens and hunt for eggs. We eat the eggs. Sometimes we eat the chickens.

Gran and Papa Red flew on an airplane from Alabama to come see me ride in my first horse show. I have been riding horses since I was in Mama’s tummy.

Upperville Colt and Horse Show is the oldest horse show in America. It was started a long time ago, in 1853 by Col. Dulany in Upperville, Virginia. Some riders jump real high and go real fast on their horses.

Mama got me all fixed up for the show. I wore my riding outfit like Mama’s with hat, gloves, garters and boots. Mama fixed my hair in pigtails with ribbons like my name. They were birds. My real name is Elizabeth-Anne Donald Robinson but everyone calls me Bird.

My show was for little kids like me who are one to three years old. I rode a pony. My mama led me with a rope and my daddy walked beside me to catch me if I fell off. I did not fall off. I got a pretty ribbon. It sure was hot! Gran and Papa Red were so proud of me. They got me a pink horsey. My gran fusses I live too far away. So I am going to visit.

I am going to Columbiana for Liberty Day. It is going to be so much fun. Gran is getting me a red, white and blue dress. I am going to watch my first parade. I am so excited. I cannot wait to see the big red fire trucks and pretty ladies. Gran calls them Miss Alabama and Miss Shelby County and Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen. I also cannot wait to see the Shelby County High School Marching Band and all the rest of the parade. And I cannot wait to see the Shelby County High School Marching Band and Mr. Bobby Joe Seales as the Grand Marshal!

Hope to see you Liberty Day. Bird says bye-bye.

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.