
Elvis Presley had a gentle, almost playful way of expressing affection, and in 1966, that tenderness took the form of horses. Wanting to give something meaningful to the women he cared about, Elvis decided they should ride together, share quiet mornings and open land far from the noise of fame. For Priscilla, he chose a sleek black Quarter Horse named Domino. For Sandy Kawelo, he selected a soft cream-colored horse called Sheba. It was his way of creating moments, not gifts meant to impress, but experiences meant to be shared.
There was another reason behind the gesture. Years earlier, Elvis had been shaken by an accident during a film when a horse bolted with him still on its back. Since then, riding had lingered in his mind as something unfinished. By bringing horses into his life again, he was gently coaxing himself back into the saddle. He imagined riding alongside them, rediscovering a sense of calm and confidence that fame rarely allowed him.
Elvis knew very little about buying horses, and he didn’t pretend otherwise. Instead, he leaned on friendship. He brought along Jerry Schilling, trusting him to help guide the search. The process was filled with laughter, trial and error, and a sense of childlike excitement. They walked barns, asked questions, and joked their way through the experience until the right horses finally appeared, each one seeming to find its person naturally.
Priscilla took to riding with ease. She moved with quiet grace, sometimes riding bareback, completely at home atop Domino. Watching her, Elvis felt a mix of admiration and peace. Yet it was during these visits that another presence caught his attention. A palomino Quarter Horse stood apart, golden in the light, calm and strong. Elvis felt the connection instantly. Without hesitation, he bought the horse and named him Rising Sun.
That bond grew quickly and deeply. Elvis treated Rising Sun with exceptional care, visiting often and making sure he was well tended. He even named the barn House of the Rising Sun, a quiet tribute to the horse that had helped him reclaim something lost. Rising Sun became his favorite, not because of beauty alone, but because the horse represented trust, healing, and companionship. In that shared stillness between man and animal, Elvis found a rare peace that stayed with him long after the ride ended.