104 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Kayce Douglass and Jan Westmark-Allan
Celebrating the holidays in a place as beautiful as Colorado is
wonderful; but when your Christmas present is a horse, it easily
becomes the best gift of the season. Debi Pretz and her special
partner, Gepetto, a handsome 25-year-old dark bay gelding
haven’t won any grand prix or classes at Devon; but they have
won many hearts in the equestrian community of Colorado. The
pair is known for giving to the community and bringing smiles to
so many. Gepetto truly is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
Sidelines caught up with Debi to learn more about her best
Christmas gift ever.
When did you get Gepetto?
I was given Gepetto on Christmas Day in 2004 when he was 17.
Now he is 25. My dear friends, Jane Young and Christy Toth, had
him all wrapped up like a Christmas present, standing there in his
Santa Claus hat with candy canes around his neck. He is a dark
bay and looks especially handsome in red! I couldn’t believe it. He
is my frst and only horse.
What are Gepetto’s Favorite Treats?
That is easy - he especially loves candy canes! He gets a whole
wreath of candy canes every Christmas, all for himself.
A Christmas Gift
That Keeps On Giving
How has Gepetto become so well known in the community?
We work a great deal with Spirit Ranch, which is a non-proft
therapeutic riding school that offers the empowerment of body and
spirit through horses for the physically and mentally challenged.
Gepetto has been wonderful in working with the students and the
Spirit Ranch community. Gepetto is very comforting to them in
their time of need. The children run up to him and give him hugs
and crawl all over him. We have many children and adults that we
see who are in wheelchairs and Gepetto is very calm, quiet and
patient with them.
Gepetto was sick a few years ago, what happened?
He was very sick and we thought we were going to lose him.
I didn’t have the money to pay for the surgery and I really didn’t
know what I was going to do but the community stepped in and
helped us. My friend and artist, Susan Becker, had an art show
and so many dear friends attended. Susan sold many of her
beautiful paintings and then donated all of her proceeds and wrote
the check to Littleton Large Animal Hospital for Gepetto’s surgery.
Gepetto pulled through with fying colors.
What does Christmas and the holiday spirit mean to you?
We must always remember our blessings and remember those
who are less fortunate. Gepetto has really taught me a great
deal about life and caring for others. He has shown me how a
horse can make such a difference in people’s lives. How a horse
can give a person hope, strength and the desire to get up every
morning and pull their boots up. I was blessed on Christmas Day
when I was given Gepetto by very dear friends; he changed my
life and I continue to hope that Gepetto and I can give to others
what was so unselfshly given to me. Gepetto and I wish everyone
a Merry Christmas and a holiday flled with blessings - and lots of
candy canes under their Christmas tree!
Debi Pretz and Gepetto get in the holiday spirit.
Photos courtesy of Debi Pretz
Debi Pretz and Gepetto