Ever just felt silly? And you don't care what people think? And you send a photo to your childhood friends and caption it: "See? I told you I could ride a horse!"
And the memories fly back.
So the backstory. My first real girlfriend (and later Fiancé) was my Best friend ever- little sister. We met when I was in Sixth Grade and she was in Fourth. So we were friends until she hit seventh grade...the we moved up the chain.
She loved horses. Her brother tolerated them at their Grandpa's Farm. She had her own horse named Duby.
Duby loved my girl. And tolerated her brother. Duby...did not like me. But oftentimes we go over there, and my buddy and his other friends, and almost all of her friend would ride Duby around the local trails. Not me. I shoveled manure. Yep. Turns out I was pretty good with a pitchfork.
So when we were both in High School she finally talked me into riding Duby. Duby was an average sized horse, an Appaloosa, and a mare. Duby also had a personality. And a sense of humor...apparently.
So my girl showed me how to groom, Duby. She showed me how to handle the tack, store it, clean it, and put in Duby. And that day, I did it all correctly, including the little tricks Duby played on folks she didn't like. Like holding her breath when you tighten the cinch on the saddle. That way it has some play in it when you get on...and the saddle slides off with you in it. I made double sure that wasn't going to happen.
All I had to do was get on. My girl said: "Let her know you are Boss, and take her for a gentle walk around the barn. Let her and you- get used to each other. "
And she smiled and stepped away...letting to of the halter.
As soon as she let go, Duby took off. She headed straight for the corner of the Barn, and made a sharp turn (Appaloosa's move like Cornerbacks in the NFL- quick and sneaky) .
That turn was at the back corner of the Barn. And Duby took it tight. Leaving just enough room for her to scrape by the barn. And for the barn to scrape my left leg, quickly followed by the rest of me, as I was peeled from the saddle, flung over to the side and ended up sprawled on the ground looking up.
What did I see?"
First Duby ambled over to me, looked down, and I swear ...she laughed at me. A big long whinny.
My girl rushed over, made sure I was okay and then scolded a pretending to be sorry Duby.
After I got up and dusted myself off, my girl said:
"Kevin, you just have to let her know who is Boss."
I smiled.
"She just did."
And that was the last time I ever rode a horse.
Years later, and another good friend worked a Ranch over in Hawaii. She brought Kathy and I out to the place. You could either ride a horse, or take a four wheeler. And they have this funny metal horse that everyone thinks is just for funny tourist photos. But actually it is a silent test, to see you handle approaching a horse, holding the rope and getting on board.
And even there it took me two tries. A stationary pretend horse...and it didn't like me either. LOL
So Kathy took these pictures. I sent them to my Best Friend and his Sister. He called me later that week ( we talked once a week for almost sixty years until he passed,) He said: "I showed my sister your photos. She wants to know how long you stayed on."
I told him to tell her that there was no barn...so I stayed on."
And that memory makes me smile.