Okay, so, “Road to the Horse,” let me tell you about this wild ride I’ve been on. It’s basically this big deal where you take a young, untrained horse and try to turn it into a well-behaved, rideable partner in just a few days. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it is, but it’s also amazing.
I jumped into this thing, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. I mean, I’ve been around horses my whole life, but this was different. This was about building a real connection, from scratch, in front of a bunch of people. The pressure was definitely on.
First, I had to pick my horse. This was like choosing a dance partner, except my partner couldn’t talk and weighed a thousand pounds. I walked around, looking at all these beautiful three-year-old Quarter Horses, trying to see which one had that spark, you know? I finally settled on this one, a real beauty with a kind eye. I named him “Chance,” because that’s what I was taking – a big chance.
Then came the hard part. Three days, that’s all I had. Three days to get Chance to trust me, to let me touch him, to let me put a saddle on him, and eventually, to let me ride him. Each day, we worked in the round pen, just him and me. I talked to him, moved around him slowly, and gradually got him used to my presence.
- Day one, it was all about getting close. I spent hours just letting him see me, smell me, get used to me being near him. He followed me around, and I felt like he was interested in what I’m doing.
- Day two, I started with the ropes. Gently tossing them around him, over his back, getting him used to the feel. Then the saddle pad. I placed it on his back gently, lifted it off, repeated that until he was comfortable.
- Day three, the saddle. This was the big one. It was a slow process, but Chance was a champ. He accepted it finally. And then, the moment of truth – I climbed into the saddle. I sat on his back for the first time. A huge milestone.
The Big Show
Finally, it was showtime. I rode Chance into the arena, in front of the judges and the crowd. I showed them everything we’d been working on. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. We communicated, we connected, and we showed everyone what we had accomplished together. I didn’t win. But I gained something far more valuable – the trust of a magnificent animal and an experience I’ll never forget. I learned so much about horses, and about myself, during those three days. I discovered a whole new level of patience, understanding, and respect for these incredible creatures. I walked away from “Road to the Horse” a changed person, a better horseman, and with a bond with Chance that will last a lifetime.
So, that’s my “Road to the Horse” story. It was tough, it was challenging, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I hope that 2025’s “Road to the Horse” will be held again, and I’ll see you there!
