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I'm a children's author. Animals are a constant source of writing material for me. They are also my heart!

"Someone Almost Died and He Wants Us to Do What?!"

>> Sunday, June 14, 2009

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful comments about adopting a cat into our family. After reading what you had to say, it occurred to me that every summer I usually foster a litter of kittens or two. In the past, I've had to find homes for all of them. This summer will be different. I'm going to sit back and wait to see what happens. If I foster a litter, two kittens will already have a very good home!

Okay. Now I'm going to switch back to horses. Most of you know how much I love Tango and most of you know that I show him dressage. Tango is a very versatile guy. I rescued him from an Amish background and driving is in his blood. He moves like a dream and loves every minute of it.

I thought I'd share a pleasure driving story for you. Yep...that's Tango and me in the photo above. The judge was actually offering high praise. Below is a partial article that I wrote for an equestrian magazine. There's never a dull moment when it comes to animals, and a day without just a little excitement could even be called boring!

Here's the partial story:
The last show of the season was...let's just say more than competitive. What I had always believed to be true, was. Tango held up under pressure. He was better than good, he commanded calm and exhibited his true nature.

We were in the show arena and had just switched from a walk to a park trot. Tango was responding with ease. We had just rounded the first turn in the arena when I heard a banging commotion from behind us. A young woman had lost control of her horse, fallen to the floor of her cart, and was wildly flying back and forth and around and around the arena. It seemed there was no stopping her horse.

The second time the runaway cart went by us; it clipped the back of our cart. I asked Tango to move forward and stand. He did.
Three minutes of chaos seemed to last forever. Other horses in the arena were clearly upset and unruly. Who could blame them?


Tango's calmness kept me calm. I remember thinking, "Should I get down and try to help or just stay here?" But by that time, lots of other people were in the arena. Common sense took over. I decided I'd do the runaway driver and horse more good if I just stayed out of the way. That's what I did. Rather, that's what Tango allowed me to do.

Finally the out-of-control horse was stopped. I was shaking from the inside out and ready to leave the arena when the announcer barked, "Resume park trot...resume park trot."
"He's got to be kidding," I thought. "Someone almost just died and he wants us to resume park trot???? "


The saying "The Show Must Go On," applied here. The show went on. I was numb but not Tango. His extended trot was more beautiful than I've ever seen it. I felt like we were floating through the air. The only thing that took away from our first place finish, was concern for the driver of the other cart, who luckily was not hurt.

Our win was the icing on the cake. That day...that moment....the bond between Tango and me grew even stronger. He trusted me and I trusted him. Yes, Tango was and is a winner for sure...in more ways than one.

6 comments:

Sandy June 15, 2009 at 11:51 PM  

Ah yes, I remember when this happened, but think this is the first picture I've seen. Congrats on thw win for you and Tango, and am glad the rider of the run away horse wasn't hurt.

Sandy
psssssssss did you notice, you've moved to #7 in the pets widget network! Get going

Hugs

Vicki June 16, 2009 at 10:25 AM  

Congratulations on your first place win! What a great pic, great story and amazing horse!

Girl Tornado June 16, 2009 at 10:21 PM  

Congrats on your first place win, all the more astounding because of what Tango dealt with that day. A wonderful story, esp since the other rider was not seriously hurt.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and I look forward to digging into yours more! :)

Amy L Brooke June 17, 2009 at 9:01 AM  

Thanks for the comment. I like your blog. I'll have to come back.

How did you find my blog? Just curious.

I wish I had the money at the moment for more riding lessons. Things are too tight.

I have a dream of riding Inn to Inn in Ireland....

Have a good day.

E June 17, 2009 at 9:26 AM  

Glad you were able to keep your cool and not have an incident

Ssuan June 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM  

Jan, It is very nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
What a beautiful horse Tango is. I have always dreamed of teaching one of my horses to drive. I would love to learn dressage too. I have been into western pleasure trail and halter we also trail ride. Mostly my horses are pampered pets! LOL They get turn out in the pastures and go on the walker. They get losts of baths (I love to press my face into the neck and mane of a clean horse with my arms wrapped around their neck). I used to breed and had a stallion and mares with a few colts each spring but these days its just for the enjoyment of being with horses.

I'm sorry to read about your Kelly dog, that was sad. I too have been in that spot before, both with a dog and with my beloved old mare "ouch!"

You must be a wonderful person to love and care so deeply for animals.

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