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Stormy was born April 1, 1974 in Garland on the Estabrook farm during a spring snow storm. His father was Rusty and his mother -was Penny. He and his mother were sold by the Clayton Estabrook family to the Thatcher Adams family when Stormy was 6 weeks old. An early memory of Stormy was to see him "fly" over a big woodpile to get to his mother when the new owners inadvertently led her too far away for the little foal's comfort. It wasn't long before he had flown into the hearts of his new family, with his endearing personality and clever ways.
Stormy was trained to the harness as well as saddle. He loved to pull his jog cart. He was nearly "bomb proof' in that he didn't get upset about most sounds or events that came his way. If he became tangled up in a rope or other hazard, he didn't thrash around, but would wait until someone came to untangle him. His calm, steady personality made him very dependable and safe for children to handle. He and Adams children and grandchildren won many ribbons over the years in Garland horse shows and he provided years of wonderful trail riding adventures around Garland. Considered part of the family, Stormy was included in the annual Christmas card photo, along with the grandchildren, for the last dozen years.
He knew that once a year, he was expected to march for the Lyndon Oak Memorial Library, a job he obviously enjoyed very much. Last year the Library had a 30th birthday party for its equine volunteer, with a special cake (decorated with frosting hay bales, apples and carrots) and horse napkins and paper plates. He enjoyed all the hugs, pats and kisses, and seemed to understand that it was an extra special day.
Stormy leaves behind a big fan club which includes many children and adults in Garland who were touched in some way by the little pony during his extended lifetime. Because he had lived in the middle of town for so long and taken part in so many activities (including Christmas caroling) he had become a town pony.
He will be missed by the Estabrooks who maintained an interest in his welfare throughout his life, and sorely missed by his owners Mary and Thatcher Adams, their daughter Emily and husband Ian Cameron and their daughter Mimi Cameron, their son Thatcher and his wife Catherine Adams, and their children Perin, Cate, and Thatcher III, also the special families who boarded him for many of his winters (Susan and Norman Packard and Pam, Sally and Sandy Giles and daughters, and most recently, the McCormack's at Infinity Farm).
If travelers through Garland village spot a -pony with Pretzel which resembles Stormy in size and color, it will likely be a young pony named Peanut Butter Fluff who, thanks to the McCormack's, will be visiting for awhile this fall to keep Pretzel company.