Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/09/28

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Subject: [Leica] (NEW) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-)
From: steve.barbour at gmail.com (Steve Barbour)
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:38:42 -0700
References: <1215085537.9028561348522398606.JavaMail.root@dsmdc-mail-mbs12><97750CDFDBE34F3FB1854F3EE532A7B3@syneticfeba505><A94E0F35CA3140AD8E634EC853C9F002@syneticfeba505> <50634FBC.7020902@summaventures.com> <B4F445CFF25048D4952B108369749362@syneticfeba505> <FC6E2B69-3336-455D-A937-6FFDE97E54BA@frozenlight.eu>

On Sep 28, 2012, at 10:35 PM, Nathan Wajsman <photo at frozenlight.eu> wrote:

> As a proud owner of the "Men of the Saddle" book, I can only say that your 
> sacrifices were worth it ;-)


what he said....

your sacrifices were worth it Ted (and those of the horses),


Steve


> 
> Cheers,
> Nathan
> 
> Nathan Wajsman
> Alicante, Spain
> http://www.frozenlight.eu
> http://www.greatpix.eu
> http://www.nathanfoto.com
> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
> Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/
> 
> 
> YNWA
> 
> 
> 
> On Sep 27, 2012, at 5:42 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> <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
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
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>> 
> 
> 
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Replies: Reply from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] (NEW) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))
In reply to: Message from grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey at mchsi.com) ([Leica] New M/ BOKEH????? REPLY!)
Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))
Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] (new) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))
Message from pdzwig at summaventures.com (Peter Dzwig) ([Leica] (new) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))
Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] (NEW) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))
Message from photo at frozenlight.eu (Nathan Wajsman) ([Leica] (NEW) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-))