“Maggee on deck, Hope 1.” The announcer for our alley spoke and crackled over an outdated intercom, calling out who had how many rides until theirs. It was the largest horse show I had ever been to and my round started at 7am on an August sunday. Warm-up started at 5:30, so myself and the rest of my barn team were up and moving at 4 to clean, tack up, and dress ourselves. Despite being the middle of summer, the lack of sun meant that I needed a jacket to stay warm. Apparently Harrisburg residents need cold air for life, so the cool air was on full blast in an indoor arena, while the thermometers outside barely hit 60F. I move up in line, about to step out into a world-renowned horse and farm show arena, where thousands of professionals visit yearly, on casual occasions. 90 seconds after it’s announced that I’m up next, Maggee and Nashway, the other baby green pair from my barn, come back from their course with a 67 out of 100. This whole discipline is based on how pretty your horse looks and moves, but nobody really knows what the mystery factors are, so I thought a 67 was excellent, considering how well Maggee rides. …show more content…
I trot a circle to the left, and ask for a canter as I complete my circle and head to my first “flowerbox” jump, as per my usual routine. I had been constantly reciting my order of jumps while in line, but in the heat of the moment and the chill of the arena, I’m only thinking, “keep a rhythm, make it pretty, don’t die.” Before I know it, I’m headed to the scary white jumps called “gates”, the last two of my ten-jump course. Nearly every horse before me had refused one or both of these jumps, but my angelic mare, Kate, flew over them with ease, even forgiving me for leaning a tad bit too forward coming into the
Once you get them to settle down and get there mind focused on just walking and the rider then you know the bond with the rider and horse are strong. When it is time for the second run of the night you want to warm them up again but not as hard this time because he or she has already been warmed up once before this, so just a little warming up won’t hurt. When it is that time for the second run the rider will bring the horse him a set him or her up for their first barrel and make the most of the race. If you see the rider smiling then everyone knows she has done her job with this horse. The rider can make an automatic barrel horse where that horse know his job and she barely has to ask the horse for a turn or touch his face to go around that barrel. When the rider gets a horse to be like that everyone can tell they spent hours and days together. The rider worked with that horse but never made him sour or hate coming into the arena. They spent time working on flexing the horse and making sure he knew when to tuck his nose and leave it for an extra second. They will all see when they are running home how much they spend time they spend together if they are fast and smooth through the pattern and don’t have any blow ups before or after coming in and out of the arena. After the race is over and the announcer say who
The Kentucky Derby has over 160,000 people come from around the world to attend the Kentucky Derby annually, and tens of millions watch on television. The Kentucky Derby is our state’s signature event, filled with traditions, legends, and celebrities. On May 2nd, of every year, is the Kentucky Derby and my birthday. The Kentucky Derby is an athletic event, because you get to understand the roles of the jockey and thoroughbred as athletes, as well as the scientific basis for their performance, it helps provide insights and comparisons into human training, nutrition, and health. “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” was hailed as a triumph and brought rabid attention to Scanlan’s. (McKeen 149) The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that
In theory, political campaigns are the most important culmination of the democratic debate in American politics. In practice, however, the media shrouds society’s ability to engage in a democratic debate with unenlightening campaign coverage. Because of this, it is difficult—if not impossible—to have educated political discourse in which the whole, factual truth is on display. After years of only seeing the drama of presidential campaigns, the American public has become a misinformed people.
Lamson, Roy, et al., eds. “Critical Analysis of ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner.’” The Critical Reader. Rev. ed. New York: Norton, 1962. 52-6. Print.
One day Andrew made a bet with a Rival horse breeder named Mr.Dickinson. The bet was that the Andrews horse Mustang was a faster horse than dickinson's fastest horse that he bred. Mr.Dickinson claimed that his fastest horse Sparky can beat mustang therefore the bet was made. One hot summer day Andrew, his wife, Dickinson, and his wife went to the track. Andrew was in the stable preparing Mustang for the
"Number 278 Your Honor!!!” This is what I hear as I ride my horse, Ranger, along the perimeter of the huge ring that holds all my fears, worries, hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. As the announcer yells into the loud speaker “Riders the judges say ride on at a Running Walk!” I pick up speed flying past my competition, so many World Champions and World Grand Champions on one fair ground, it can be over whelming at times. As the riders sit in the ring patiently anticipating the results all I can think is how lucky I am to be part of such an amazing breed of horse, and to feel blessed that the Tennessee Walking Horse Association was so great. But after I leave the ring collecting my 1st place ribbon, there is a commotion by the inspection table, someone just got a ticket for scars on their horse’s ankles, and now they don’t get to show their “injured” horse. The problem with this? There is nothing wrong with their horse, yes he had scars on his ankles but he was not in pain. You see this particular horse was not well taken care of in his previous home, he was abused. Then his current trainer saved him from that bad place, and now because of his past he is not able to show. I and many others personally know this trainer and she would never do anything to hurt her horse, he is her prized possession. Abuse to the Tennessee Walking horse was a huge problem in the past, but not so much anymore.
The horses are kicking, jumping, bucking, frightened by the loud pop of the fireworks and woohing of the crowd. A black broncho had fallen rolling in fear on the hard and cold ground. A beautiful white mustang is rearing up, fighting the restraint of a lead rope clutched tightly in two cowboys’ hands. They try vigorously to escape the hands of the cowboys. A thick cloud of dust surrounds them, flying up in their eyes, blinding them from their vicinity. This was Jack's chance, his chance to win. It is the 4th of July, 1935 and the Wild Horse Race is taking place. Each man wanting the same thing, victory. Being in such depressing times they all need a little boost of spirits in their lives. This was a way of showing that they would not let the times they were in get the best of them. Men from all over the county came to compete in this race. The cash prize was small, but in their position everything counted to them.
Draper, Judith, Debby Sly, and Sarah Muir. Complete Book of Horses and Riding. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Inc., 2003. Print.
My perception of the State Fair was one filled with amazement and adventure. The loud music of the rides and the familiar, huge crowds overwhelmed me with excitement. Unfortunately, I was forcibly taken, by my parents, to watch the World Championship Horse Show in Freedom Hall. At such a young age, I was not interested in seeing the next world champion horse make the show of his or her life. In my mind, the horse show was a waste of good ferris-wheel time. My parents usually set aside an afternoon in which they, with long-suffering faces, would indulge me in my fair frenzy. For these few hours, we waded into the jostling crowds, surrounded by the screams of thrill-seekers, the cacophony of bells and whistles, and the powerful smells of fair cuisine. To me, these were the best sights and sounds on earth.
Grand champion! I was riding Fancy, a paint horse, at the Dallas County Fair in the Horsemanship class. In this class, I had to complete a pattern and it was judged on how well each horse and rider completed the pattern. The judge felt that Fancy and I performed best and awarded me with a big purple ribbon and a trophy with a horse on top. At the end of the fair, all of the grand champions were announced before the races. That was the final reward for successfully showing a horse in competitions.
One of my earliest memories of Grandpa begins with us driving to the Monmouth Park Racetrack. We sure did love to go to the track and root for Julie Krone or one of our other favorite jockeys. He loved challenges, and he especially loved the challenge of picking the ponies. He would read the race programs in the Asbury Park Press and usually pre-pick most of the day's favorite horses before ever leaving the house. Still, on arrival, we always bought the program and maybe a race sheet or two before entering the track grandstand. After picking up a couple of seats right around the finish line or maybe a little past it, back to figuring he'd go. As he went, grandpa would always point out the horses that had won recently or looked like they were due. "I have a feeling about this one" he'd say.
"Overview: 'The Rocking-Horse Winner'." Short Stories for Students. Ed. Kathleen Wilson. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.
I am jarred out of a relaxing sleep by a voice yelling my name in a loud whisper, and a light burning through my eyelids. Groggily, I open my eyes to see my father standing in the doorway to my messy room. He tells me that I need to get going, that it is 3:00 a.m., and I'm burning daylight. I find my clothes and get dressed. The whole time I wonder why I get up this early to visit the rugged outdoors. I want to go back to bed, but I know my dad will be back in to make sure I am getting ready, in a little bit. Instead, I put my boots and my wide-brimmed, black cowboy hat on, and walked out to catch the horses. The horses are all excited because it is dark and they are not that cooperative. My dad and I get them saddled and in the trailer, and go back into the house to get our lunch, water, and a cup of coffee. Now, we can head for the high country.
much an athlete as the rider. Barrel Racing is one sport where horses and their riders compete to get th...
The minute the horse starts to run just let loose, do not think about where the end destination or the time just enjoy the peaceful outdoors. A saying used to describe this, “sometimes you have to loosen the lead rope” and that is true. When riding loosen the rope and clear your mind and put the stress of everyday life to the side for a while. It feels like you are on top of the world, seeing things from a different perspective and looking at the bigger picture. Feeling weightless like a jet ski flying across the water floating on water, but instead on land and a horse is flying past everything. Each person experiences riding differently and depending on how the person feels when mounting their horse, will determine the quality of the ride. Enjoy what nature has to offer and listen to the sounds that come from