Writing back to John: How I Got Busy (and a tribute to Vanni)

In the early 1900s, a little boy named John won a pony named Busy. Here is an excerpt from his letter:

Mamma went to town one day to do a little shopping so she sent me with my little brother over to grandma’s until she came back. While Brother and I were playing it began to rain so Grandma made us come in the house and play. She gave us a lot of paper to write on and play school with. She also gave us some books and magazines to look at. In looking through the magazines, I found one called The Farmer’s Wife, and taking it by the name, I looked through it, thinking I might find something that would help papa in his garden work. I did too, but when I looked a little farther, I saw a dear little Shetland Pony. This made me forget everything else, as I have wanted papa to buy me one for such a long time. I showed the pony to Grandma and asked her if I could cut it out, as I was going to ask papa if he would buy me one. Grandma said I could cut it out, so I did.

It did not stop raining all that day so I had to stay at Grandma’s until mamma came after me and I was getting restless waiting for her, because I could not wait until I showed it to mamma and papa. At last mamma came and we went home; not long after papa came home from his work. Before he even had time to kiss me, I told him I wanted a pony. He laughed at me at first when I asked him and tried to discourage me, but I still bothered him, till he finally consented to let me write to The Farmer’s Wife to find out how I could get a Shetland Pony free. Finding out how easy it was to get one, I joined the Pony Club for luck; not expecting in the least to get a pony, as everybody that I would mention it to said I was only wasting time as The Webb Publishing Company could never afford to give me a pony for nothing. Some people would say, “Don’t bother with it, John, they will send you one cut out of paper.” I began to get discouraged myself a little then, but I wanted a pony and I knew the only way I would get one was to do my best and try to win. As papa said, “Nothing tried, nothing gained” and this proved true with me. I had nothing to lose so started out one day to get subscriptions. I got a few and when papa saw I was in earnest, he started out and mamma, too, to help me. Before long, we were all getting subscribers easy. The time went by so fast that it did not seem any time till the last day came. Then came the anxious moments. Day after day I would sit at the station watching the freight cars being unloaded to see if I had won my pony, but none came for over a week and I was just about giving up hopes for winning when, one day while I was playing outside, the mail man came along and called to me, “John, here is a letter for you.” You should have seen my face brighten up. I was all smiles when I read it. It said, “Dear John, you have won your pony and it will be shipped in a few days.” So it did come a couple of days after.

I love “Busy” so much that I’m getting poetic— here’s a sample

I won my dear old “Busy,”

In a very busy way;

Selling monthly papers for

The Farmer’s Wife one day.

If I could write a letter back to John, here is what I’d share with him:

Dear John,

“Winning” can be such a thrill. And, it can also be quite a feeling of what did I get myself into??

Just like you, my daughter won a pony! Of course, she won her pony over 100 years after you won your pony. I can promise you that the family excitement is the same whether it’s the early 1900s or the early 2000s! Your prize pony, “Busy,” and Loryn’s prize pony, “Vanni,” could have been twin ponies. Both ponies were jet black, about the same size, and beautiful. A century separated the two ponies, but they were virtually identical.

While you won your pony by selling subscriptions to the Farmer’s Wife Magazine, Loryn won her pony by writing the winning essay in a contest held by the American Shetland Pony Club (“ASPC”). Loryn had to write about why she deserved to win a pony named “BC Voodoo Doll” (nicknamed “Vanni”). She also had to talk about what her plans would be with Vanni if she won her.

Like you, once Loryn saw the advertisement for the ASPC essay contest, Loryn could not think of anything else except winning the prize pony. Essays were accepted up until a couple of weeks before the big Shetland Congress pony show, a show that we went to every year. The essay winner was to be announced as a big surprise on the last night of the show.

Here’s what Loryn wrote in her essay:

Dear American Shetland Pony Club Essay Committee,

I was six years old when I got my first special Shetland pony. His name is Midnight. My grandma has two Shetland ponies. We have a Shetland and a POA at my house.  I know my love will always be with the Shetland ponies. We know ponies and would give BC Voodoo Doll a great home.

I love the summer because it is a time to be outside and practice with my ponies.  With my ponies I practice showmanship, driving, jumping in hand, English riding, halter and obstacle.   But, even though I love doing those things I like riding Midnight bareback around the yard the most!

Going to Shetland Congress where I have been showing for four years is a blast. I get to show with the other Shetland youth. I get so nervous going into the show ring, especially showing jumping in hand. Midnight thinks he can walk right through the jumps. He looks at me like we never practiced.  I used to go in lead line. Then I started doing other classes with Midnight. Even before I could drive I wanted to be in the cart with my mom. 

We got Midnight many years ago when he was a foal. I trained Midnight with the help of others that knew what they were doing because not everyone can train a foal.  So, I am very used to foals and will know how to work with BC Voodoo doll since she is a foal.

I want this new filly so bad! The first time that I saw her, I knew that I would give BC Voodoo Doll the perfect home. Midnight and I are a great team but I am ready to start a new project.

Midnight is now very well behaved from experience. I will pass him down to my little brother. Midnight is a gelding so I can’t raise any foals out of him! I would love a new project.

Part of this essay requirement is to say why I deserve BC Voodoo Doll. I think that if dedication, loyalty, and true love for the Shetland breed are what it takes to deserve it than I feel like I definitely deserve this opportunity to love and care for this filly.  We have a brand new three stall barn and we have one extra stall. That would be a perfect spot for BC Voodoo Doll.

My future with BC Voodoo Doll would be great. I plan to train the filly with all the love I can. I plan to have this filly for the rest of my life. I will show her in the classes that fit her personality and what she enjoys doing. Some of which would probably be driving, showmanship, and riding. I will be dedicated to this pony and therefore will always work with her. I will promise her that I’ll keep her warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I’ll make it so that my new pony will excel at local shows and circuit shows. I will try to set a good example with her so other families can see what good family ponies Shetlands can be. Much of my world revolves around Shetland ponies. I would be tremendously grateful to call BC Voodoo Doll mine.

Thank you for your consideration,

Loryn

Loryn mailed her essay in, and we knew that Loryn did all that she could do to win the beautiful black filly. All of the words were her own. She rode her bike to the post office to mail the letter.

We tried not to think about BC Voodoo Doll as we spent the days getting ready to go to the Shetland Congress pony show. We figured that Loryn didn’t have a chance of winning. We were new to showing the Shetland pony circuit and we figured that there were many, many kids with compelling reasons as to why they should be the lucky child selected by the committee. As her parents, my husband and I didn’t want to get Loryn’s hopes up. We talked very honestly with Loryn about her slim chances when the topic of winning BC Voodoo Doll did come up. Sure, there was a chance.  But the chance of being selected was probably very small.

Finally, it was time to make our way to Gordyville USA, the location of the Shetland Congress pony show.

Upon arrival at the show, Loryn was busy participating in the youth activities, hanging out with her friends, and showing her pony, Midnight. There were stalls to clean, ponies to feed, and classes for which to prepare. As we made our way through the busy week, the “winning essay announcement” was looming in the back of our minds. Everyone in our family, unbeknownst to each other, snuck over to the stall where BC Voodoo Doll was relaxing, waiting for the announcement of her new owner and unaware that she was going to meet a lucky child of her own.

Finally, the big evening arrived. For the families that had a child participating in the essay contest, that was a sense of anticipation, hope, and nerves. The American Shetland Pony Club did a great job of building happy anticipation for the big announcement.

The presenter’s voice was loud and clear throughout the entire facility. Lots of people stopped what they were doing to see BC Voodoo Doll being led from her stall to the center of the arena. The announcer talked about how BC Voodoo Doll was bred, about the family that donated her to the competition, and about the opportunities available to youth within the club. Anticipation was building. My husband and I were pushing Loryn’s siblings in their stroller around the outside of the show pen. Loryn was standing with the other youth at the entry gate of the show pen, they were all watching BC Voodoo Doll be led around the arena. The kids were chatting, laughing, and feeling celebratory. Which one of them would be the “winner?!”

The announcer said, “And now to name the youth member that has won this beautiful filly. But! Before we name the youth, the committee would like you to hear the winning essay.”

The announcer started, “I was six years old when I got my first special Shetland pony. His name is Midnight….”

My husband and I stopped walking. We looked at each other. Oh my God. She won the pony. What did we get ourselves into?

It’s a curious feeling to win a pony. Usually, horse people shop for their equine partners and have a sense of “who” the pony or horse is through their show records or through their time with their previous owners. Stories are shared. History is disclosed.

Rarely is ownership and possession so quickly obtained, with a horse or pony cloaked in mystery. When a pony is won versus carefully researched and shopped for, you know very little about the pony whose lead rope is handed to you, in Loryn’s case, or the pony that arrives on a train, in your case. It’s a blank slate. So many unknowns.

When the lead rope was handed to Loryn and the reality of winning had finally sunk in, we knew that we had a lot to do to get our trailer ready for a third pony heading back to Michigan. My dad, Loryn’s grandpa, made a panic trip to Home Depot for trailer-conversion supplies. He artfully removed the manger in the trailer and created a third slot in which BC Voodoo Doll could safely and comfortably make the trip home. He accomplished all of this in just a few hours. Grandpa has always been handy like that!

And just like that, BC Voodoo Doll was a part of our family.

Warmly,

Regina

p.s. Sadly, our family lost our sweet Vanni to colic not even a year after Loryn brought her home. Winning Vanni is kind of a bittersweet memory now. There is a perpetual award named after her with our local 4-H horse and pony organization. We hope that Busy lived a long, healthy life with you! Colic sucks.