A Part of the Team

Chill and I were making our spot on the RHO team.  My riding improvement was due to Tom and Courtney and my awesome horse, but I do have to say that if it wasn’t for my husband Richard, none of this would have happened.  His undying patience and desire for me to ride no matter what the cost outweighed his own love of the sport.  He sacrificed his own needs and wants when it came to his riding.

 Nothing was lost, though.  Richard seemed to find a horse he wanted, too.  We both outgrew our horses as all the RHO family did. Dakota was happy being a field horse.  Tom’s gorgeous black and white stud, “Turkey” was the answer to her prayers.  Tom and I decided to breed them and the hopes of a black and white Tobiano baby was in the works.

Dexter was another story.  He took advantage of Richard any time he could.  Richard was not a strong rider, but was willing to learn and try.  A mare captured his heart… “Tangles” another great paint horse cutting prospect. A deal was made, Dexter was sold and Richard was on his way to cutting horse fame, but still had to wait for her to be “ready”.

Trouble was beginning to brew while penning with Chill.  She knew my hesitation and was beginning to get frustrated with me.  She would have little hissy fits about going into the arena… or staying put when she had to, but we worked through it every time.  She got my number for sure.  Even though my riding was better, my fear was still there and she knew it.  She did, however, only give me as much as I was ready for. 

The BWBs were doing great.  With Sue on Peaches and Donna on Summer they tore up the arena. RHO cowgirls were sure a force to be reckoned with! Why not? We had the best trainer and the best horses.  

 Sharon was in love with her Sonita.  Sonita Little Cutter, as she was known, was a finely tuned cutting horse that would drop down on a cow if given the opportunity or perhaps… if not!!  Sharon wasn’t ready for penning, cutting or sorting and Sonita knew it.  They both were just as happy to grab cows out of the field and bring them back after we were all done with the games.  The best part of our days were spent leisurely riding around our big fields of clover laughing and relaxing.

 Our dear friends, Karl and Carvey also had horses at the barn.  They were two of the top riders and they were a joy to watch. Being with them was always an adventure and always guaranteed a good time… most times; we knew something crazy would happen. This day, after long, hot dusty hours of penning, the boys had a great idea!! We had a great running pond/stream on our property.  The horse loved it and was just deep enough to cool them off after a hard day of riding.

Carvey’s bright idea…. “Let’s go down to the stream.”  Yea, really?  Have you just met me?  Water???

“Come on, girl.  Come down to the water.  It’s fun. I’ll be with you and you’ll be fine” Carvey was always so reassuring and quite the confidence builder I needed.

We headed off on our mini trail ride.  It was like the great beyond for me…outside of the safety of the high walls of the arena! Ok... one by one we trampled down a little hill to the rocky clear bottom of the pond. Sharon was already in the water… Sonita joyfully splashing... and Sharon’s laughter echoed.  Karl behind me… I attempted to make the plunge.  Yea... no... I didn’t want to go. What seemed like the hill from The Man from Snowy River to me... was a tiny drop… but Chill wouldn’t go... she knew I was scared because of the rocks and the slip into the water.  Chill was injured long ago.  Sometimes she was stiff up front but always worked through it.  She was steadfast and honest.  Today. On those rocks, I was afraid she would get hurt… I can still hear Sharon laughing.  Donna yelling... get in here and Sue saying...take your time… you’re fine... it’s ok…

Karl, on the other hand, wasn’t so kind.   “Git yer ass in there... just go she’s fine”

Nope.  OH HELL NO…. No... I don’t want to go…. Carvey was sympathetic to my plight and said… ”come here… lets go in this way... it’s flatter and there’s no rocks” Karl on one side, Carvey on the other… we began our descent… but who the hell knew that this was a pure bog of mud? Bad idea boys….. As Chill and I attempted to step down… she sank up to her knees in mud... Struggling to get up… I kind of freaked out and did a flying dismount into the mud and weeds.  It was so hot and the rocks in my back took my breath away.  Still Sharon’s laughter was all I heard.  It hurt… Karl was looking down at me in disbelief…Girl, what the hell did you do that for? I dunno, Karl, she was sinking... I said …with mud in my teeth  and my boots…

Carvey was the only sympathetic soul in the creek…. You jumped... you thought she would get hurt didn’t you?  …

Yea, I was afraid her legs would give out… She was stumbling in the mud…I jumped off…

 I remember Chills face looking down at me …she stopped dead in the mud tracks and stared at me like I was a complete bumbling idiot… What the hell?

Attempting to catch my breath, I sat down on this rickety old table standing on 3 legs… I just needed a bit… OH GOD GIRL... Karl looked in disbelief…don’t sit on that… that’s gonna do you in….

All but avoiding a splinter in my ass, I gathered up my reins and walked...on foot… back to the arena.  Why you ask?  Because I still can’t get on my horse without the mounting block.  There were no mounting blocks in the wild and great beyond.... ... Tom... no where in sight...Thank God!!  I had my chance to scurry back to the arena, get back on and get back to the creek before I was within eyesight….. 

 

Yea… um…. No.  There he was… in all his glory, just gazing off at me from the barn while I climbed on my trusty mount.  Lord, this was going to be a hard explanation… …. He stood in the doorway… 150 yards away.... hands on his   hips… just looking across the vast field…. A stare that would turn a soul to stone….

 I heard him in my head…. What the hell did you do now,  idiot?

And Sharon…. Still laughing.