The peaceful farm of Sharon Rose Bleier sits quietly on the outskirts of Wilkie. When the winds blow from the east, they may, at times, carry the soft whinny of horses or the peaceful echo of the guitar through the town. The home Sharon shares with her husband, Glen, shelters the couple, their dogs, cats and horses.
In the summer, beautiful colours encircle their welcoming home; flowers bloom throughout the yard, their scents enveloping passersby. And in the winter, when the protection of the foliage is gone, you can clearly see the velvety colours of her horses' coats; the midnight black and chestnut brown contrast the purity of the white snow.
Sharon has been in the community for about 20 years. Not only does she help her husband with any farm work that needs to be tended to, she raises horses - mainly Morgans - and performs gospel music.
Currently, between Sharon, her husband and brother-in-law, her yard plays home to 18 horses, most of which Bleier says, are "registered purebred or part-bred Morgans, though there are also a couple of horses that have some Percheron in them."
She says she keeps the horses "mostly just for the joy of it (as) they are very affectionate," but for the enjoyment of riding as well. The couple has, in the past, also put a few in the Wilkie parade.
Her love for the animal started after seeing the movie Justin Morgan Had a Horse, - about the foundation sire of the Morgan breed. Bleier says she "fell in love with the breed." The breed itself is known for their "quiet and sweet characters," she adds, "and are very versatile, love people and are very intelligent."
But, she says, "it's been until now that I have had the opportunity to actually raise them. They have not been a disappointment in any way." She started with the horses at her place after she and Glen got married, but she says she's always had them when she was able, as this passion for the incredible animal has been in her blood for quite a while.
Not only does Sharon breed and sell her horses - her stallion has thrown some very lovely foals she says - but she trains them and tends to them daily. She says of the Morgan breed that they are so majestic yet can still be "loveable brats" and that this passion for her horses has created friendships between her and her animals.
When she isn't tending to her horses or helping around the farm, Sharon can be seen with a guitar in hand. A self-taught guitarist, she has been singing and performing gospel music all of her life, sometimes with her parents and at times on her own. Her performances have spanned from B.C. across Alberta and into Saskatchewan and even ventured to Indiana and South Dakota.
She has performed mostly small venues, however has also performed for a few gospel jamborees. But, says Sharon, "I have loved ones around the world, though, and some of my CDs are probably as far as England."
With the help of family - her brother-in-law has helped record her music and her brother has taken some of her cover shots - Sharon has put out three CDs. Two are gospel and one is Christmas. She says she would like to make at least one more, saying that "in the past I have written a few songs and would like to get them recorded."
As for her support system, says Sharon, "Glen is always supportive of everything I do, and I have some good friends in the community who support my music and (are) even with me sometimes when I sing. But I do have people all over who have supported me for all of my music life."
If you have seen Sharon's heart-warming smile, you should know that it's the life she leads that puts it there.
