Ima Camiseta Badger
Ima's Story
Cathy's search for a horse
When Cathy began searching for a horse, her journey led her to Red Bluff and the Skeet Gould Ranch, where she found Ima Camiseta Badger. At the time, Ima was not for sale because of a defect that prevented her from competing. But some connections are meant to be, and Cathy saw in Ima something far greater than limitation—she saw heart, possibility, and a companion she was meant to love.
Cathy convinced Skeet Gould to sell Ima, and from that moment on, their path together began. Believing they were destined for one another, Cathy poured herself into learning everything she could—training, videos, lessons, and endless dedication—to become the rider Ima deserved. Through that commitment, what began as a dream grew into a remarkable journey of partnership and love.
Though Cathy never used Ima for competition, Ima became something even more meaningful: a trusted trail horse, a gentle lesson horse for children, and a faithful partner in every sense of the word. She seemed to fulfill Cathy’s every wish, moving with a quiet understanding that felt magical. As the years passed, Ima’s place in Cathy’s heart only grew deeper. There will never be another horse like her. When Cathy rode Ima, they moved as one—and that beautiful connection will live on forever in memory, in gratitude, and in love.