Introduction
Quiet Meadows Ranch is a misleading name for what it really is. It is a large team of Thoroughbred flat racers, to a strong Stock horse racing team, to regular performance horses of varying disciplines, a large group of people who now call each other family and an untold number of wild Mustangs. Together, they all live on the same land, working with each other, getting to know each other better and building relationships; all because of one person, Cheyenne Cavender.
Cheyenne Cavender made it her life mission to rebuild an old family name in the powerful world of Thoroughbred flat racing. What she has since created is far more than that. She has regained and surpassed the legacy of her family, and has encouraged growth into so many other disciplines. With horses like WRNGs Belle Soliel and QMR Shadow’s Star, she is bringing Quiet Meadows Ranch into the Dressage and Eventing curcuits. She has a daughter, Evelynn Rose who is growing up on the ranch, learning the ways of horse care and good showmanship
Despite all the success, something had always called to her. Years ago, in the early years of Quiet Meadows Ranch, Cheyenne visited a land oddly called Painted Island. It wasn’t an island, but an area surrounded by mountains with plenty of water, but definitely not an island. On her visit to this land, she noted the breath taking hills, valleys and lakes. The views of the mountains, cliffs and forests were captivating, but not nearly as captivating as the creatures she fell in love with, the Wild Mustangs of Painted Island.
Her visit was done so on a whim, with her late husband, Roger. They wanted to take a trip and discover a land they hadn’t seen before. They backpacked throughout the hills and forests; discovering what life was like away from civilization. Learning about the creatures that called the land home and how the subtle changes of a breeze or a rainfall could affect things. Cheyenne had had a deep love of Mustangs, stemming back to her childhood with her grandfather and his once wild Mustang, Vince. Vince was the reason she loved horses today, the reason she made it her life’s work to be with horses every day. Now, so many years later, Cheyenne was watching, perhaps, his distant relatives roaming wild.
The first time, she and Roger saw a wild Mustang, it was like Cheyenne’s breath had left her. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak. She was fully captivated by the dark bay stallion looking intently at them from across the valley. He looked at them as they looked back. All she could do was smile as he watched over his family band; made up of three mares and a foal. Together, the band grazed while their stallion kept a close eye out for danger and he was deciding if Cheyenne and Roger were just that. Far enough away, they didn’t pose a threat, but was he content to allow them to see him and his family? At first, Cheyenne worried that he would make them leave. It even looked like he might as he moved over to one of the mares and gave her a sharp grunt, causing her to move lower on the other side of the hill, away from their view. But then, he stopped and began to graze. His silhouette was beautiful against the crisp blue shy with wispy clouds strewn across it. He swished his tail from side to side occasionally and looked back up at the pair so far away from him. Roger set up the camera and tri-pod to capture the family and managed to get a few good ones before the band moved out of sight.
After that day, Cheyenne was in love. Painted Island became her refuge and idea of paradise. She ventured there every few years to visit and relive that day. Seeing new horses and watching funny foals scamper about. She regretted not being able to visit more often and began to dream of a day that she could live there. It was a big dream. The land was privately owned in order to maintain the freedom of the horses. She had become quite close with the owner over the years and was allowed to visit anytime she wanted. But eventually, the visits became less frequent as Quiet Meadows Ranch grew. Then the fateful day came. The day that shook Cheyenne’s world to its core; Roger was killed in a freak racing accident. She was left a pregnant widow with an entire ranch to look after by herself. She leaned on her friends, Cuck and Kiki. She gave birth to her daughter, who required so much of her time, like all children do. The racing team was winning, with horses like SHS Marilyn M, HPS Dreamcatcher and QMR Full Moon; and her first Dressage horse, WRNGS Belle Soliel, was gaining points. There just wasn’t time for the Mustangs.
Her mind ventured there though, from time to time. Watching some of the broodmares running about in their large pastures; she drifted back to see the wild horses racing across the valley and hills, living life free and untethered. But she was quickly brought back to her life of motherhood and ranch owner though. Horses needed to be registered in races and shows, records needed to be updated and breedings needed to be planned. There was never a dull moment. She did however; keep in touch with the owner of the land. Getting updates on the herds and foals. He captured pictures to send to her and little notes about each family. It was almost as good as being there. Almost.
Then one dark rainy day, Cheyenne got a call. It was from the attorney of the man who owned the land on Painted Island. The man had passed away and left his land to her. Knowing her love and passion for the horses, he knew she would do right and keep his dream of keeping the horses wild. She nearly dropped the phone in shock. The land was hers if she wanted it. Of course she wanted it. How could she not? It was her dream, it was her refuge. But how could she keep up with the wild horses now, so far away? Her business partners and friends, Kiki and Chuck, discussed things with her. The buildings of Quiet Meadows Ranch needed updating and new buildings and pastures were needed to house the growing number of horses. If they were to update or move, now would be a great time.
The three of them took a trip out to Painted Island the following week to survey the land and to visit the horses. Cheyenne knew that the pictures she had received and the stories she told, didn’t do the land justice. Both Kiki and Chuck agreed as soon as their truck stopped at the top of Echo Point. “From this spot...” Cheyenne told them, “We can see all around the valley.” Off in the distance, they all caught their first glimpse of a horse the old man had named Showmane and his family band. He had his lead mare close by, a blue roan named Millie. Millie was clearly due to give birth soon. Her dark belly lightened as it grew; her rump was nearly all grey ans she had a thick white blaze down her face. Near them, were his other mares, a light dun, a grulla, and a little sorrel filly I named Ember. She was a spunky filly. Running side to side, pouncing like a bunny as she passed the adults or when she came to a stop. She tossed her head side to side as the breeze swept through her thick mane. Her mother, the grulla mare, named Nightshade, was clearly a young mom; maybe only two or three years old; kept a watchful eye on Ember, allowing her to stretch her legs and play nearby. This filly was probably her first foal, but she had a calmness to her as if it were her tenth. For hours, we watched the band graze and even caught a glimpse of some bachelor bands from time to time. The colors varied from black to grulla to bay to painted. “They’re all so beautiful” Cheyenne thought.
They took photos of some of the areas and took notes as to where the horses were primarily foraging. By the end of their two week stay, they made their decision. Quiet Meadows Ranch would move to Painted Island. There was a small island in the middle of a large lake off the north shore where Cheyenne began building. First, a sturdy but unobtrusive bridge from the island to the mainland was built. The breeding stock horses were moved in as soon as possible. Then the work of the other buildings and pastures were built. Over the course of three years, Quiet Meadows Ranch was rebuilt and moved to Painted Island. When the final days came and the move was officially done, Cheyenne and her now boyfriend, Chuck, held each other close in the great accomplishment they had taken part of. Now, they had plenty of space for their horses and managed to still only take up a small part of the land to give the wild horses their freedom and space.
Her dream of being close to the Mustangs had finally come true. Now, when the pressures of racing and showing became too much, she could get atop her faithful Mustang, Boron, and explore the land. Ride on a land otherwise untouched by mankind and soon, she would be able to share this world with her daughter and everyone of Quiet Meadows Ranch. She never thought her message would ring out to so many more than that…
Cheyenne Cavender made it her life mission to rebuild an old family name in the powerful world of Thoroughbred flat racing. What she has since created is far more than that. She has regained and surpassed the legacy of her family, and has encouraged growth into so many other disciplines. With horses like WRNGs Belle Soliel and QMR Shadow’s Star, she is bringing Quiet Meadows Ranch into the Dressage and Eventing curcuits. She has a daughter, Evelynn Rose who is growing up on the ranch, learning the ways of horse care and good showmanship
Despite all the success, something had always called to her. Years ago, in the early years of Quiet Meadows Ranch, Cheyenne visited a land oddly called Painted Island. It wasn’t an island, but an area surrounded by mountains with plenty of water, but definitely not an island. On her visit to this land, she noted the breath taking hills, valleys and lakes. The views of the mountains, cliffs and forests were captivating, but not nearly as captivating as the creatures she fell in love with, the Wild Mustangs of Painted Island.
Her visit was done so on a whim, with her late husband, Roger. They wanted to take a trip and discover a land they hadn’t seen before. They backpacked throughout the hills and forests; discovering what life was like away from civilization. Learning about the creatures that called the land home and how the subtle changes of a breeze or a rainfall could affect things. Cheyenne had had a deep love of Mustangs, stemming back to her childhood with her grandfather and his once wild Mustang, Vince. Vince was the reason she loved horses today, the reason she made it her life’s work to be with horses every day. Now, so many years later, Cheyenne was watching, perhaps, his distant relatives roaming wild.
The first time, she and Roger saw a wild Mustang, it was like Cheyenne’s breath had left her. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak. She was fully captivated by the dark bay stallion looking intently at them from across the valley. He looked at them as they looked back. All she could do was smile as he watched over his family band; made up of three mares and a foal. Together, the band grazed while their stallion kept a close eye out for danger and he was deciding if Cheyenne and Roger were just that. Far enough away, they didn’t pose a threat, but was he content to allow them to see him and his family? At first, Cheyenne worried that he would make them leave. It even looked like he might as he moved over to one of the mares and gave her a sharp grunt, causing her to move lower on the other side of the hill, away from their view. But then, he stopped and began to graze. His silhouette was beautiful against the crisp blue shy with wispy clouds strewn across it. He swished his tail from side to side occasionally and looked back up at the pair so far away from him. Roger set up the camera and tri-pod to capture the family and managed to get a few good ones before the band moved out of sight.
After that day, Cheyenne was in love. Painted Island became her refuge and idea of paradise. She ventured there every few years to visit and relive that day. Seeing new horses and watching funny foals scamper about. She regretted not being able to visit more often and began to dream of a day that she could live there. It was a big dream. The land was privately owned in order to maintain the freedom of the horses. She had become quite close with the owner over the years and was allowed to visit anytime she wanted. But eventually, the visits became less frequent as Quiet Meadows Ranch grew. Then the fateful day came. The day that shook Cheyenne’s world to its core; Roger was killed in a freak racing accident. She was left a pregnant widow with an entire ranch to look after by herself. She leaned on her friends, Cuck and Kiki. She gave birth to her daughter, who required so much of her time, like all children do. The racing team was winning, with horses like SHS Marilyn M, HPS Dreamcatcher and QMR Full Moon; and her first Dressage horse, WRNGS Belle Soliel, was gaining points. There just wasn’t time for the Mustangs.
Her mind ventured there though, from time to time. Watching some of the broodmares running about in their large pastures; she drifted back to see the wild horses racing across the valley and hills, living life free and untethered. But she was quickly brought back to her life of motherhood and ranch owner though. Horses needed to be registered in races and shows, records needed to be updated and breedings needed to be planned. There was never a dull moment. She did however; keep in touch with the owner of the land. Getting updates on the herds and foals. He captured pictures to send to her and little notes about each family. It was almost as good as being there. Almost.
Then one dark rainy day, Cheyenne got a call. It was from the attorney of the man who owned the land on Painted Island. The man had passed away and left his land to her. Knowing her love and passion for the horses, he knew she would do right and keep his dream of keeping the horses wild. She nearly dropped the phone in shock. The land was hers if she wanted it. Of course she wanted it. How could she not? It was her dream, it was her refuge. But how could she keep up with the wild horses now, so far away? Her business partners and friends, Kiki and Chuck, discussed things with her. The buildings of Quiet Meadows Ranch needed updating and new buildings and pastures were needed to house the growing number of horses. If they were to update or move, now would be a great time.
The three of them took a trip out to Painted Island the following week to survey the land and to visit the horses. Cheyenne knew that the pictures she had received and the stories she told, didn’t do the land justice. Both Kiki and Chuck agreed as soon as their truck stopped at the top of Echo Point. “From this spot...” Cheyenne told them, “We can see all around the valley.” Off in the distance, they all caught their first glimpse of a horse the old man had named Showmane and his family band. He had his lead mare close by, a blue roan named Millie. Millie was clearly due to give birth soon. Her dark belly lightened as it grew; her rump was nearly all grey ans she had a thick white blaze down her face. Near them, were his other mares, a light dun, a grulla, and a little sorrel filly I named Ember. She was a spunky filly. Running side to side, pouncing like a bunny as she passed the adults or when she came to a stop. She tossed her head side to side as the breeze swept through her thick mane. Her mother, the grulla mare, named Nightshade, was clearly a young mom; maybe only two or three years old; kept a watchful eye on Ember, allowing her to stretch her legs and play nearby. This filly was probably her first foal, but she had a calmness to her as if it were her tenth. For hours, we watched the band graze and even caught a glimpse of some bachelor bands from time to time. The colors varied from black to grulla to bay to painted. “They’re all so beautiful” Cheyenne thought.
They took photos of some of the areas and took notes as to where the horses were primarily foraging. By the end of their two week stay, they made their decision. Quiet Meadows Ranch would move to Painted Island. There was a small island in the middle of a large lake off the north shore where Cheyenne began building. First, a sturdy but unobtrusive bridge from the island to the mainland was built. The breeding stock horses were moved in as soon as possible. Then the work of the other buildings and pastures were built. Over the course of three years, Quiet Meadows Ranch was rebuilt and moved to Painted Island. When the final days came and the move was officially done, Cheyenne and her now boyfriend, Chuck, held each other close in the great accomplishment they had taken part of. Now, they had plenty of space for their horses and managed to still only take up a small part of the land to give the wild horses their freedom and space.
Her dream of being close to the Mustangs had finally come true. Now, when the pressures of racing and showing became too much, she could get atop her faithful Mustang, Boron, and explore the land. Ride on a land otherwise untouched by mankind and soon, she would be able to share this world with her daughter and everyone of Quiet Meadows Ranch. She never thought her message would ring out to so many more than that…