Finding My Dream Horse: Meet Sedona Sunflower
- Bethany Quinn
- Nov 20
- 4 min read
After finishing a sunset session for Epona Healing with Horses in Greensburg, Indiana, I made my usual stop at the gas station before the hour-long drive back to Indianapolis. It’s my little ritual — grab a snack, refill my Stanley, breathe, and queue up a new episode of the Journey On Podcast. It’s the perfect way to reset after a hot evening of shooting.
Little did I know, that drive home would change my life.
The Text That Started It All
As soon as I merged onto I-75, my phone started lighting up with messages from my aunt and cousin. These two had been following my horse search since summer — from trying out Arlo at Free Spirit Equestrian (and not being “selected”) to deciding I needed a break from it all.
When I saw their names pop up repeatedly, my first thought was that something might be wrong with my dad or grandma. I finally called my aunt.
“Did you see that video I sent you?” she said as soon as she picked up.
“Of who?” I asked.
“That mare that Casey found.”
I couldn’t watch the clip until I got home — but when I did, my heart skipped a beat. It was just a few seconds of a red bay mare being ridden on the side of a road, a young girl hopping off her back. But I instantly knew… she was special.
Meet “Rona,” the Mare With a Story
Her name was Rona — a 13-year-old papered AQHA mare who had once been a barrel horse but no longer wanted to run. Her owners were stepping away from horses and had put her up for sale.
When I called the next day, I learned she was the granddaughter of Corona Cartel, one of the most famous Quarter Horses in the racing world. Even though I’m not one to get hung up on bloodlines, I thought that was pretty amazing.
Our First Meeting
She was just 30 minutes up the road in Cicero, Indiana. When my friend and I arrived, Rona was grazing peacefully in the yard — unbothered and full of grace. Her current job? Backyard best friend and trail pony.
Kids would hop on her bareback with a halter and lead rope, riding down the road and into the woods to the creek. A loyal dog followed at her heels the entire time.
She came up a little lame on her front left hoof that day, so I skipped riding her. She’d just been trimmed and likely stepped on a rock. I told her owners I was interested and would come back after a vet check the following week.
When Life Has Other Plans
That week, my own body decided to throw me a curveball — I found out I had a diseased gallbladder. Looking back, it felt like divine timing that I hadn’t ridden her that day.
Despite the pain, I went back the following Sunday — because something about this mare felt like home. I brought my husband, Andrew, who isn’t a horse person, just to see how they’d connect.
As he led her around, I saw her whole demeanor melt. Her eyes softened. My gut told me, This is the one.
There was also a little something that her previous owner shared with me. She has a little bit of blue in her left eye. She shared that Rona is a moon foal. The old wives tale goes, when a foal is born outside under a full moon, the moon’s glow will leave blue onto the eye of the foal. When I heard this story, it was like a little wink from the universe telling me, “See, I told you she was the one.”
The Day She Became Mine
I debated getting a vet check but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant for me. So I trusted my intuition — and bought her that day.
By midweek, I had my ultrasound and surgery consult, but all I could think about was bringing her home.
On October 4th, Sedona — her new name — was delivered.
I was still loopy on pain meds when they handed me the lead rope, staring in disbelief. “Oh my gawd, you’re here!” I whispered, tears welling up.
She was finally home. My dream horse.
A Gentle Soul With Big Energy
Sedona met her new herd with grace — calling softly, hanging back politely, and reading the room before joining in. Over the next week, as I recovered from surgery, I couldn’t visit her. I spent that time watching Warwick Schiller’s training videos and Dr. Susan Fay’s Sacred Breath course, eager to start our journey.
When I finally got to the barn again, she was full of curiosity and kindness. Other boarders told me she’d been walking up to them in the pasture, asking for scratches and attention.
Even when she doesn’t feel like cooperating, she “closes her eyes like she’s pretending to be asleep” — never rude, just gently defiant in the most charming way.
A New Beginning
Sedona is everything I never knew I needed — kind, wise, curious, and funny. We’re working on leading, liberty, and, eventually, hitting the trails together.
I never thought I’d own a bay mare, but she’s truly my dream horse.
This is just the beginning of our story, and I plan to share updates along the way — the lessons, the laughter, and all the heart that comes with starting over with a horse who found me when I needed her most.
💬 Your Turn
Have you ever met a horse (or any animal) that felt like they were meant for you? Share your story in the comments — I’d love to read it.
Hi, I’m Bethany — a women + equine fine art photographer based in Indianapolis. Since 2013, I’ve been capturing the wild, wonderful, and perfectly imperfect magic between women and their horses. I believe in celebrating the real — the laugh lines, the scars, the stories — because that’s where beauty truly lives. When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me at the barn, out hiking, or cozied up with a spooky show and way too much popcorn.
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