Read the Success Stories for these former Bits & Bytes Farm
horses.
The newest Success Stories have been moved to their own site: www.OTTBSuccessStories.com
* Horses with asterisk in front of their name were purchased as Prospect Horses directly from the track.
All photos on this Web site are copyright protected and may not be used without written permission of the photographer.
Joe Bear checks out his new Hawk horse trailer. June 2, 2007
Paula received Joe Bear for Valentines Day from her husband David.
Click here to read more about the Valentine's Day surprise.
Happy Easter from Joe Bear and Paula.
Joe Bear and his mom Paula Gunnels. March 4, 2007
Joe Bear and Paula.
We are the Champions!
- October 1, 2005
Joe Bear and Paula love to jump cross-country fences. December 3, 2006
What Paula did not know was that the ‘surprise” was on her – Joe Bear WOULD be wearing a red ribbon with his heart on it.
Click here to read more about the Valentine's Day surprise.
Joe Bear came off the track in 2003. These are two of his first farm photos.
Click here to see Joe Bear's Horse For Sale photos.
Joe Bear at Oxer Farm in May 2005
Joe Bear at the Olympic Horse Park in Conyers, GA - May 2004
Elizabeth ducked into the feed room and came out with the red ribbon with a heart attached that said, “I’m Yours.”
Bits & Bytes Farm Success Stories |
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Our horses > success stories >Joe BearJoe Bear & Paula - Together Forever!August 20, 2007I forgot to tell you that I even braided him for his dressage. All by myself on Friday night and he was so good. Never moved a muscle! June 2, 2007 - Joe Gets a New Trailer!They say that buying the horse is just the beginning...It’s true. BUT what is more fun than buying horse stuff!? My husband David now knows all about it and has the fever too. Ever since he took the plunge in buying Joe Bear he has become actively involved with everything horses. So much so, he is not satisfied watching Joe laze around the barn. He is ready to see us compete. No arguments here! We began our search for a trailer a couple of months ago and soon realized how hard it is to find what I wanted. Joe is a big boy, and there are certain specifics that are a must. Straight-load, walk-thrus with a ramp are hard to come by. One day I came across a website with Hawk trailers. I fell in love with them. I did continue to look around, but always came back to the Hawk.
I was thrilled when the time FINALLY came to go pick it up. Neither David nor I had driven with a horse trailer before and our first experience was traveling 2 hours home on the highway. Thankfully the trip went smoothly and we proudly honked the horn to announce our arrival when we got back to the barn. I brought Joe Bear out to show him and he was very interested in everything. He looked it over inside and out, and I believe we have his approval. I am very excited to start getting around and doing different events. It is going to be a fun year and this success story page is about to get longer! Paula & JB Elizabeth's Note: OK gentleman. David Gunnels has now raised the bar even higher! First he buys his wife a horse for Valentine's Day and now a horse trailer. And, to top it all off, he is joining her a long romantic rides in the forest. He is a hero to every woman out there. Take a cue from David if you want to add a little spice to your life! |
Things began to get serious:
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In February 2005, I wanted to move a step closer to buying him so I asked Elizabeth if I could lease him, with the intent to purchase. I wanted her to know that I was serious...and I wanted to have him to myself. I loved every minute of leasing him, but there was always that fear that someone would come and want to buy him. I knew there were people interested and asking about him.
Often I felt I would never be able to afford him and I was heartbroken at the thought of having to give him up. But I kept hoping month after month and towards the end of last year things started to look up.
My husband David and I began talking more seriously about buying him, and I was thinking at least a few more months from now. I never for a second thought that David would buy him for me so soon and surprise me with him like he did.
The whole experience on Valentines Day was so surreal and I have re-lived it over in my head time and time again. It began the Wednesday night before Valentines when Elizabeth and I were riding. She suggested that we have a Valentines Party from the horses to all their favorite girls. She told me most of the friends of the barn had recently broken up with their boyfriends and this was something we could do to make them feel better. Of course I was on board. I love fun festivities with the horses. The idea was that everyone would dress nicely and take coupled pictures with their horses. It would be Prom all over again...only with better dates this time. When I told David that I wanted us to go to the barn for Valentines, he acted like he didn't like the idea. He did a good job pretending.
The day of Valentines I went to Party City at lunch and bought decorations. I knew we were having a "stage" for the photo shoot and we needed to decorate it. Nothing like unknowingly planning your own surprise party! I was one of the last to arrive at the barn that night and everyone was ready for the photos. They were going one by one to get their pictures taken. It wasn't hard pulling the wool over my eyes, even when Elizabeth told me to bring Joe last in case he broke something. I remember thinking it was weird, but it was only a fleeting thought…
By the time it was Joe and my turn, everyone was standing around watching. Only some of my friends knew what was coming. Joe was a little nervous about the lights and activity and wouldn't put his ears forward for his pictures, so I asked David to get a peppermint to rustle the paper. Elizabeth went into the feed room to get "a treat" and came out with the infamous Red Ribbon and passed it to David. I saw it and froze. I knew what it meant, but I couldn't believe it. My mouth dropped open and I just stood there. I looked at Elizabeth for confirmation and she was teary eyed and grinning. I asked her, "Really?" She nodded. Then I turned to David and he was holding the ribbon out to me smiling ear to ear. I couldn't believe it was finally my moment. All I could do was hug him very hard and tell him thank you. When I put the ribbon over Joe's head and around his neck he never moved a muscle. It was like he was thinking..."It’s about time I got one of these!" He wore it proudly while everyone laughed and cheered and took pictures. It was an amazing moment. Joe was finally mine.
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Barry had prepared food for the occasion and we opened a bottle of champagne. It was a time to celebrate and I love the opportunity to share it with everyone. I cannot wait to see where the future goes from here. I know it is going to be so much fun!
Paula Gunnels
~JB and PJ THE Perfect Pair. BUMS OFF!!!~