Nelson thought his little blurb was pretty cute. He
never gets on the computer! I wondered about all those spelling questions
while I was fixing breakfast!! :) He just couldn't wait!
I have been trying to figure out how to tell this story or
if I want to tell it...it was a special ride. I didn't think anything
could top my first 100 but this one is right up there along with it. I
just don't think I can write it as a "report" or even a story. It was
truly a ride in which I was enriched with friendship and love, sportsmanship and
teamwork in ways I have never imagined in my wildest dreams. I just am not
sure if I can impart any of that to those who were not there though I promise to
really try. Because if my impossible dreams can come true, so can
yours!
Though I wish to offend no one's religious or non
religious sensibilities, I have to say that this is one ride in which God had a
huge hand in it for me. How is it that people who have never met
(well, except on Ridecamp!) can go so far from home, camp next to each other and
pick up a friendship as if it had always been? Divine intervention in my
book, folks!!! How is it that one can go so far from home (ok, Kentucky
isn't THAT far for us but it FELT far on Thursday morning!) and discover no only
new places, new friends and new ways of doing things but even a new sense of
self? How cool is that?
I did place 4th much to my very honest
surprise. The course was MUDDY and scary. The grassy parts were
slippery and muddy under THAT. We had a 4 foot stream of fairly swift
water to cross. It was NOT an easy ride by any means. Yet my dear
horse never faltered for a moment. He even lost a shoe on the 3rd loop and
kept right on as if nothing had happened. (Thank God for tough
feet!). I had the pleasure of meeting, riding and visiting with
several folks out on the trail, many of whom I will not be able to remember
first and last names (deepest apologies!) and some I will never forget whether
it be their laughter or kindness or a pat on the back when I needed it. I
will try to include as many as possible in the story that I will try to
write. The run off with Chris Frame for first heavyweight is a thrill I
will not soon forget as Nelson has told me many times I have never asked Malik
for more and though I know we didn't go all out, the speed and adrenaline rush
of "racing" for 1/4 mile to the finish is a high I will not soon
forget.
And yes, I did win BC...since I was surprised to have even
been top ten, the BC was like getting all the holidays in a year in ONE moment
of time! And THEN we were presented to the audience during the awards
presentation of the Egyptian Event in the main arena that evening.
WOW!! I was self conscious. Who wouldn't be? But Malik made me
so proud. How could I feel embarrassment or shame or anything other than
love and joy at having the privilege to show all these people what a wonderful
horse I ride? He was without a doubt the best behaved horse at the
presentation of the awards...we received a medallion (Egyptian Event champion)
and Malik stood calmly though he refused to stand in front of the blue
background and the presenter and photographer had to come to HIM. Every
other rider had to dismount in order to receive their award and have their photo
taken because their horse would not stand still. I was so proud of him,
especially after all the shenanigans of the other
horses.
Anyway, my ride story will be coming...there
are so many people I want to thank and recognize and I'm not sure if I am
even able to do that. Thanking EVERYBODY is an impossible
task!!!
Anyway, thanks for your patience as I sort this story out
in my head and figure out how to tell it without bawling my head off and
without offending anyone or forgetting anyone I should
mention!!
