I took last week off from Tuesday through Friday. Our family planned to haul six horses for a friend down to the Arkansas/Missouri border. We were all excited to go, but at the last minute the trip was canceled. We were sorely disappointed, but decided to take the opportunity to soak up the hot sun at home by taking our fishing boat out to a sand bar and riding at the Kickapoo Reserve. We did it! We did have to fight the clouds and occasional rains, but the full day we had at the Reserve was outstanding, smores and campfires and all. I have been reflecting on the pride I feel in my horse, Cricket, who was born here in 2001, the foal of Asha, a former polo horse from Illinois. You know that feeling when you have a great ride on a horse that you have basically done everything yourself with? We did send Cricket away for two weeks for a great introduction to trails and discipline with Ray two years ago. That was it! Otherwise it's been up to us to get her going. What have I been lacking the last two years that has made me timid around Cricket? I have lacked the time and devotion to her, and that is all - plain and simple. Why take the "green" horse that is half Arab when you have a well-trained Standardbred to ride? It has been totally unfair to Cricket to accuse her of being unruly, or "spirited". She gave me one of the best rides at the Reserve that I have ever had on a horse. I want to give her a lot of credit. I did go to a snaffle with a one inch shank rather than a D ring, and, admittedly, that has given me a lot more control over her when she gets a bit pushy and wants to pull through the bit. I guess I have made excuses and excuses for why I am not riding her a lot these past three years, but this year will be different! As we both gain confidence with each other and build relationship, we will grow and experience many great years together, God willing. Now to polish up Cole, and get Times and Taser going!!
The 35 letters I sent to key people in the racing industry last week have produced no phone calls, no emails, and, worse yet, no assistance. They say the economy is getting better, but it appears that things are much worse here. Unless we can generate adoption fees and adopt horses out, we need to rely on sponsorships and donations entirely to keep the bills paid. We are at a dangerous point here, and would appreciate any suggestions on how to generate donations. I really think the tracks in Chicago should dedicate a race for ASAP, like the Meadowlands does for SRF.
I also think someone could organize a golf outing - just need to find the key people.
We have also considered fundraising in the form of selling candy, candles, etc., but realize there are not enough people to do this effectively. All avenues are being pursued. Even grants that are being written and submitted by professional grant writers for emergency hay funds are being turned down, and this is happening to many rescue groups. We grow weary, but won't give up.
On a personal note, mom is coming back on Wednesday.............and Rachel was diagnosed on Saturday with Mononucleosis!! So when you talk about God's divine intervention in our lives, you have to know why the trip fell through to Branson. Rachel came up with symptoms on Friday, and they were so sudden and so dramatic that I knew I must take her in to see the doctor. After a strep culture and blood was drawn, we waited to hear the results. They came Saturday, and Rachel's nosedive to feeling extremely ill happened then as well. Can you imagine us being in the south somewhere and having this happen? We want to give all praise to God and we are thanking Him that we were able to be at home with a great doctor when she became sick. We had planned a trip to Minneapolis over the weekend, so did go and Rachel and Zach and cousin Jacob were able to visit the Build A Bear Company and Rachel was just so grateful for the little stuffed animal that she is able to cuddle now as she faces a long road to recovery. Out of four children, this is the first one to get mono, so it is very scary. She is only ten!!
We do plan to try a ACTHA ride on July 18 if Rachel is well enough. I invited a couple of friends - if you can make it to Wykoff for this ride let me know! It would be so much fun to show the world how great Standardbreds are on the trail!! Go to
www.actha.com for more details - I am going to sign up for pleasure class this go-round!
My old horse Cash Wilco aka Randy was acting a bit "off" tonite. I have noticed over the years as a horse ages they begin to be away from the herd more and more. Randy was standing in the shed at dusk as I was pushing a wheelbarrow full of hay down to the lower arena. We bonded for awhile, and I thought he may notice he was th lone ranger and run out to the herd of eight in the upper field. Instead he stood, looking so lonely, in the lower shed. He came out to nibble some of the hay I was about to feed the others...........I'm going to keep an eye on him. He is 28 this year. I threw my arms around his neck and remembered the 19 great years we have had together and cried into his mane. I don't want to lose him........I guess if we live long enough loss is a given - still so very hard to believe that I may have to let him go someday. He seems tired, but still rubs his head against me and somewhere, a little part of him communicates to me, "I do love you, Susan". He is so stoic and if he sees me coming with a halter and lead rope he is as far away from me as he can be. Still, when he looks at me, I know. I feel it in my heart.
So go out and ride your horse - be brave! I will be riding Cricket! And Cole! And Times! And Taser?????
Hugs,
Susan
