The story is told that when Joe was a child his cousins emptied his Christmas stocking and replaced the gifts with horse manure. Joe took one look and bolted for the door, eyes glittering with excitement. 'Wait, Joe, where are you going? What did ol' Santa bring you?' According to the story Joe paused at the door for a piece of rope. 'Brought me a bran'-new pony but he got away. I'll catch 'em if I hurry.' And ever since then it seemed that Joe had been accepting more than his share of hardship as good fortune, and more than his share of shit as a sign of Shetland ponies just around the corner, Thoroughbred stallions just up the road.
The anecdote recounts a humorous childhood experience of Joe when his cousins played a prank by filling his Christmas stocking with horse manure instead of toys. Despite the disappointing gift, Joe's reaction was one of excitement as he interpreted the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback. His response included a playful claim about receiving a pony, which he believed had escaped, showing his optimistic and adventurous spirit. This moment encapsulated Joe's character and his unique perspective on life's adversities.
