by Pam Fowler-Grace

And now the time was here - Linda McCartney's Memorial Service was starting! I could hear Neil Young, followed by the Harlem Boy's choir singing with magnificent voices. Then it was our turn and we had the final cue to go on! I took a deep breath, gathered up the reins, sat up really straight, and then told Pay N Go, "show time", to which he responded with his usual air of arrogant brilliance. Christine helped get us through the crowd and past the reporters, whose camera flashes were going off like the fourth of July. Pay N Go just got fancier and walked up the ramps very purposefully while I ducked under a chandelier. As we entered the sanctuary I could see almost all of the five hundred guests seated. Paul's son James jumped to his feet as soon as he saw us enter. I could hear an "ooohh" from the guests as they saw Pay N Go begin his performance. The smell of all the beautiful flowers filled my senses. Pay N Go stared at the audience regally as if to say "well, I'm here and aren't you lucky!" As we performed a few steps of Piaffe I caught a glance of Paul smiling, indicating to me how pleased he was. Then we started the Spanish steps down the aisle toward the front, executing a Pirouette in the center of the church in front of Paul (who was at the speaker's podium). Pay N Go then halted and faced the audience. I gave a formal salute with my head bowed as I prayed silently to myself. I turned and made eye contact with Paul once again and he gave me a wink and nod of approval with a smile and twinkle in his eye. Our evening was complete! I turned and headed back down the aisle to exit the church. Pay N Go was so jazzed up from all the emotion he absorbed in the church that our Spanish walk was huge! His front feet had reached the height of his nose. I was so proud. For years I have trained him, and he was performing magnificently! We received a standing ovation as we were leaving.

When we were back out on the street, the reporters had gone around the other side to try to get a glimpse of Paul and his guests leaving. We took this rare quiet opportunity to pack up. A few reporters did return before we left and I gave them brief interviews. No press was allowed in the church. We then returned to Long Island to the stables.

Originally Paul had plans to return and meet us, but the fans and press made that impossible. The next day Anne Gribbons and I schooled together. She loved Pay N Go and her performance tips where very helpful. We enjoyed Anne's company very much. Before returning to Texas Paul McCartney telephoned me at my hotel room, commenting that Pay N Go was awesome and had performed exactly the way he had hoped. He said that all his friends and family loved him and that our performance would have been Linda's favorite part of the service. Paul conveyed to me several comments that they had made, and said that the applause was WILD after we rode out! While thanking me, he told me a story of the night of the service, when he and his friends went to a local restaurant. Paul said that toward the end of the meal they were all affectionately screaming "We want the horse (Pay N Go)!" He also informed me of the press coverage and that Pay N Go was on all three New York news channels. Helene, Paul said, would soon be sending me some pictures he had a photographer take during the service of our performance. I told Paul I had given Helene a video for him of an outstanding performance of Pay N Go recently in Florida.

We are now back home in the country in beautiful Cat Spring, Texas. I cherish the memories of a week I will never forget. Meeting all the wonderful people and speaking to Paul was terrific. My spotted pony and I are truly blessed from above!

Many thanks to Pam and George Suhr for this story.Send email for more information about Pam and Pay N Go.