In Memory of Moon’s Fancy Face

By: Megan East Hogan

You’d think saying goodbye would get easier with every loss, but it doesn’t. It hurts because they blessed you beyond belief during their time here, and it hurts because you developed a bond with them that no one else had.

Moon’s Fancy Face (Pheobe) was one of the first great horses I had in my showing career. She was so talented and had a mind of her own. I’m forever in her debt, because between she and the other horse I rode at the time, well, they made me learn to ride.

She was never one to give out a free pass when you showed her. She made you earn every great ride you had. At the time, it was frustrating with lots of tears and anger, but, when she was great, she was flawless. I can’t thank her enough for pushing me to my limit, beyond that limit, and making me the rider I am today.

Now, looking back, it makes you laugh thinking about all the stuff we went through to get that one goal accomplished. It took four years, but we finally got my first Hunter Under Saddle world title. I’ll never forget that moment. I cried and cried, because I knew we had finally done it together.

After her career, she blessed me with lots of babies. I will cherish her last three babies and carry on her legacy with them. There will never be another Moon’s Fancy Face, but I know her kids will make her proud. Thank you to Shevin Haverty and everyone at the vet clinic who went above and beyond with Pheobe and her baby this July. I appreciate it more than you know.

I will miss seeing those bright blue eyes when I go to Texas, but I’ll see you again. Love you to the moon and back sweet mama moon.