A New Sport

The morning after our first go at our new sport and the smiles are still in place, but unfortunately the Advil has worn off.

We’ve been visiting a ranch here in town that sponsors horse gaming…speed patterned events where horse and rider compete against themselves for times.  The National group is Pattern Speed Horse Association and unlike many horse show type options this one is for families and is affordable, $90 signed the whole family up nationally and locally for the whole year!  

Speed, Accuracy, and Timing in the Equine Athlete….

So says one website, however as the most novice rider on the fattest horse (yes, fattest not fastest), I was hoping to just stay in the saddle and not knock anything over.  I had absolutely no plans for ‘speed’ and could be heard saying more than once when a new patterned race began,

“Okay, what are we doing?”

My Loving Spouse and I rode in a combined total of 8 races and stayed in the saddle 7 times…  Unfortunately, My Loving Spouse was the one bucked off at the end of his ride.  He is set to get a knee replacement in 2 weeks and the Doctor told him he must not have any scratches or cuts on his leg, so I suppose one could say that it was a good thing he landed on his shoulder…?

So, why did we sign up for this adventure/new sport?

1.  We realized we can easily work on this house all the time, and needed something to do with the horses that wasn’t work.

2.  It is fun.

3.  The people…

The races are challenging and as you are only competing against yourself, personal bests are all that matter, however we have found that the people are truly unique.  This is a family sport with grandchildren and grandparents riding the show together.  Riders with multiple horses and fancy set ups to a single horse with simple equipment.  Most of these racers ride like thunder and the sound of pounding hoofs was a reality that set my beautiful Beau on edge the first time we heard it.  Luckily there was an experienced rider there to help teach me how to get him under control…and that is it….the biggest reason we wanted to go.  The people are genuinely helpful, kind and extremely encouraging.  They love this sport and want you to like it too.
As I successfully trotted around the course, occasionally breaking into a gentle lope, they cheered me on with advice and praise as if I’d broken a record.  Great fun, a great feeling as I learned sooooo much and my horse skills improved by the minute and the only problem might be getting bugs in my teeth from smiling.A beautiful place to spend a great day, a lot of new people met, a lot to work on with our horse and another reminder from the owners of the ranch that provides the arena…

‘we are to share with others what we are given’

and we are blessed.