This past weekend, the annual Rose Parade took place in my beloved city of roses, Portland. Whether or not you like parades or you mock them, the Grand Floral Rose Parade is an experience no one can easily forget—especially as a participant. Waaay back in 2005, I was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Washington and one of my main priorities was riding in the Grand Floral Rose Parade. It was a chance to promote my organization to millions of television viewers and thousands of pedestrians along the parade route. Preparations begin months in advance and escalate days before. Only live roses are allowed in the parade. All tack must be cleaned, polished, and polished...
Stolen moments and hopeful promises
A 45-minute drive. Each mile seems longer as I draw closer to the right exit. Almost there. Then I reach the gravel driveway – the homestretch. I’m almost there, my love! He greets me with a soft nicker and I all but jog into the barn. His nose hangs out of the stall and he nudges me knowingly toward the grain bin. I acquiesce. The stall needs to be cleaned, the barn floor raked, the cobwebs swept, the waters filled, the weeds pulled, the shavings replenished, the hay sorted. Nothing registers as I kiss his soft nose and scratch his forehead. Though the call of duty wins out and I amble...
If you insist on breaking through barriers, you might get a scar or two
You notice the lines across my horse’s chest? This is what happens when you bust through electric fences – all because the grass is greener on the other side. Grunnion has always been one for an adventure. He’s crawled under the fence and ended up in places we never thought possible. He usually comes out relatively unscathed. But this last time, he’s got a few cuts to show for it. This made me think of times in my life where I’ve pushed myself beyond the safe zone, my own fenced pasture. Sometimes I’ve managed to come away successful, triumphant and untouched. Other times, the physical and emotional scars linger. That is part...
The Camciscan horse of my life
This is certainly the least flattering photo I could find of this horse, but it speaks volumes. On Friday, I discussed the Camciscan of West with the Night, a memoir by horse trainer, adventurer and pilot, Beryl Markham. Camciscan was a stallion that pushed her to her limits but never broke her spirit. We all have the Camciscan horses of our lives. Shamir was a purebred Arabian gelding who had years of experience in the show arena. He was my third horse purchase and came at a time when I was ready to step up my riding career to a new level. Shamir took it to a new level. Though he was...
Who is the Camciscan of Your Life?
“Horses in particular have been as much a part of my life as past birthdays.” p.108 West with the Night by Beryl Markham In her memoir, Beryl discusses only a handful of horses – one in particular, Camciscan, from the arrogant stallion’s perspective. She describes this headstrong breeding stallion and his slow adaptation to East Africa life. She would ride this stallion at the age of 12 and despite being thrown and tossed about, she persistently rode and interacted with him. This section made me wonder, why did she dedicate so many pages to this ornery stallion who tried to bite her, slammed her against stall walls and even left...