Everyone remembers the first horse that they owned. For me it was Punky; fat, short, oddball, and quirky Punky. Punky still has a special place in my heart. I love him. When I first took the saddle out in two years to get him ready for teaching two little girls, I had flash backs. I had flashbacks of when I gave it my all, when I fell, when I risked my life, and all to create some of the most memorable moments in my life. I ran my hands over the saddle and I remembered how exhilarating my first cross country course was.
I continued and felt the name tag on the back and I remembered how ecstatic I was to get that simple name tag. I then saw myself as a young kid. The saddle was so heavy back then. The saddle made me see that it’s not just the horse that makes the memorable moments, but it’s the equal parts horse and rider combined in that just so perfect ratio that makes the memories that will not fade in any amountof time.
I looked at Punky in the cross ties and set the saddle down and whispered in his ear, “Time for the new generation to have their time with a little brat like you!” He shook his head side to side as if to say he understood. The two little girls are ready to go ride and make new memories with him, and you know what, I think he is too. I am going to teach them, but I learned not as much from instructors, as I did from listening to the pony.