I can post this because I can, actually, ride hell for leather and twice as fast. Well, at least until a Mad Arab kicked me off her back a year ago tomorrow.
But seriously, one of my best memories of the last decade is running a horse through a Texan field, right through the silvery light of the moon. One heckuvva thing, man and beast, at one, and fast as you like.
Now, imagine that run in the face of fire. No small matter, and while I scorn historical re-enactors as curiously insane, "Look, crazy people!", I respect our forebears; dam straight.
Btw, Lspboro raised a Cav Brigade in the war against Northern aggression, Parson's Brigade, no foolin.
Down with the Eagle, up with the Cross.
Down with the Eagle, up with the Cross.
Deo Vindice,
LSP
I'm always in awe of people who can really ride a horse. It must be thrilling to go galloping along like that.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I've come is blasting my race car around the track decades ago, but when I see a horseman blasting along, I swear I can feel that union of man and beast, as I can feel the union of man and machine.
Ride safe, Parson, and I envy you. I've been on "saddle horses" numerous times in my youth, but all we ever did was ride trails. Never really took off on a horse, and rode him like he was meant to be ridden.....
Sunday is fun day in Hillsboro!
ReplyDeleteI was riding solo before age 4 and grew up with nags. IMO, too high maintenance if you aren't working livestock or back country packing (both of which I've done, in my youth, a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy great-great-grandfather James Ward enlisted in the 11th Texas Cavalry a couple of weeks before his 17th birthday in March 1862. I was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry in April 1966 at the advanced age of 20. James was a much better horseman. I have not ridden a horse full speed across a field, but I have led a platoon of M113 armored personnel carriers in pedal-to-the medal charges across open areas at Fort Hood.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a thing, drjim. Problem is, they do have minds of their own. OK, not very large ones, but still, it can get you in trouble... That aside, I should probably get back in the saddle. Good for body, mind and spirit.
ReplyDeleteLL, it was!
ReplyDeleteRide on.
WSF, I took to riding far later in life than you, so I won't pretend to have your wisdom. That said, I've ridden more than a few nags and watched people put loads of work into them. Well, if that's what they want to do, go for it, but it's kind of a deal... and not enjoyable riding.
ReplyDeleteNor, for that matter, is the once trained horse who's been allowed to regress to a barn spoiled, willful, disobedient, dangerous pasture pet. Get ready for the rodeo and if you're not, say hello to surgery! Or worse.
SgtBob, you're one up on me!
ReplyDelete