[Leica] (NEW) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-)

[jayanand at gmail.com (Jayanand Govindaraj)]

Good story!
Cheers
Jayanand

On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 9:12 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote:

>
>
> Rent a Horse
>
>
>
> Prior to my first assignment to the ranching country of Alberta it became
>
> necessary for me to ride a horse as I had I never done so.   However I
>
> survived only due to the success of my first riding assignment. I found
>
> myself offered other projects involving mounting horse back. I can
>
> assure you it had nothing to do with my riding ability.
>
>
>
> With new assignments booked I was determined to really know how to ride and
>
> do it right.  Thus saving me enduring the constant "city slicker" remarks.
>
>
>
> Approaching the "Sun Dance Ranch", a rent-a-horse riding stable near
>
> Ottawa, I arranged a schedule of daily riding lessons and was about
>
> to mount for the first lesson.
>
>
>
> The training approach was an hour a day for a month. Starting as a
>
> rookie I found myself on a gentle horse riding around the corral and
>
> familiarizing myself with the feel of the animal. On the back of my gentle
>
> old horse and riding tall in the saddle of the cowboy, I loved it.
>
>
>
> The first couple of days on the trails of the property I was
>
> accompanied by an instructor who soon felt I was confident enough.
>
> And suggested I should ride by myself.
>
>
>
> The first day riding alone was exciting, somewhat like the first
>
> time you were allowed to drive the car solo.
>
>
>
> We plodded along for approximately thirty minutes, when my horse sensed
>
> it was half time in the hour ride, it turned and  headed for the
>
> stable.  I tried to turn it's head to ride on farther to no avail
>
> Plodding was over and like a bolt of lightening she headed for home.
>
>
>
> With me hanging on for dear life and within sight of the barn, it reverted
>
> to a docile gentle mare and sauntered up to the hitching rail as though
>
> nothing had happened.
>
>
>
> Explaining my experience to the stable hand, he just laughed and
>
> said, "the old girl can't run that fast."  But as he lead her to the stable
>
> she turned  and looked at me knowing she had me.
>
>
>
> One of the instructors heard the story and a few days road along to see if
> the horse would repeat itself, of course nothing happened, it did the usual
> plod along with the occasional canter back to barn.  Now I really looked
> stupid with my story of the wild ride.
>
>
>
> Nothing occurred for several days as I ventured out on my own. Sure
>
> enough almost to the thirty minute mark her head came around and we were
>
> off for the barn lickity-split.  I knew that horse was out to kill me.
>
>
>
> This time I didn't say anything, I didn't want them to think I was an
> idiot.
>
> But the horse and I looked at each other and we both knew this was
>
> going to be a competition of survival.
>
>
>
> I remembered what an old cowboy told me about horses, "they will try you!"
>
> If you don't show who's boss, they will beat you every time."
>
> To-morrow would be a different story!
>
>
>
> The next day prepared for the usual gallop back, as soon as her head came
>
> around, much to her surprise I pulled-up hard on the bridle.  It
>
> worked, she stopped and stood there. Round two for me.
>
>
>
> Each day after, it became an enjoyable ride with her, the pace of the ride
>
> improved! I was comfortable with a fast canter and my ability
>
> to where I felt I could ride with the Albertans.
>
>
>
> On the final day I took a couple of cameras to hang from shoulders and to
>
> get the feel of riding with equipment.  It was an enjoyable ride, me
>
> feeling at ease. I stretched the time as it was the last day.
>
>
>
> Lulled into a false sense of riding comfort I wasn't prepared for
>
> what happened.
>
>
>
> She made-up her mind it was time to turn and go. Before I could respond
>
> I was given the test ride of my life, she flew along the trail at full
>
> gallop .
>
> Me hanging on dearly to saddle horn  and cameras I didn't realize we were
> back at the stable yard and she came to an abrupt stop putting her head
> down,  sending me and cameras through the air into the manure pile.  She
> gave a kind of snort looking at me as only a female can! I swear she was
> smiling!.
>
>
>
> "You have to show 'em who's boss!" Cameras were Ok, my riding dignity was
> somewhat bent!
>
>
>
> End of lessons. Next rides were for real rounding-up cattle and
> photographing the action there of. which I id hold my own!
>
>
>
> And it produced one of my better books.  "WORKING COWBOY'S OF CANADA!" And
> a subcequent edition "WORKING COWBOYS OF AMERICA.!.....................**
> .....
>
>
>
> I'VE NEVER RIDDEN SINCE! J
>
>
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