By Dan Roark
After the Veteran’s equitation classes at John Justin arena came the other equitation classes. Those in the judge’s booth have a tendency to adjust the schedule without much warning. That is not a complaint but more of an illustration of the inevitability of change at an event with people, a number of whom have special needs, and horses who have minds of their own. According to the information I had at the time, there were a number of heats before the first New Hope riders were to compete. I went to Will Rogers arena to get pictures of the New Hope riders riding trail.
I hadn’t been at Will Rogers but a few minutes when I received a text that John had just ridden equitation (thanks to Claire and Drew’s mother, Katie, for the picture of John). I got pictures of as many New Hope riders riding trail as I could before heading back to John Justin just in time to take pictures of the riders competing in equitation.
We had so many new (to Chisholm Challenge) riders, most of whom did trail, that trying to get pictures of all of the riders doing trail was just not possible, particularly with time constraints. If it sounds difficult for me going back and forth between arenas, think about the volunteers getting the horses ready, tacked up and groomed. Then they need to take them to one of the arenas – then to the other arena in a number of cases – and change saddles if necessary. When volunteers are not going full tilt, it becomes very much a hurry up and wait proposition until the next “surge.” But it does give Susan and the other instructors time to catch their breath, compare notes, and grab a little something to eat.
The riders also need to be commended for keeping their composure through times of waiting and times of unexpected sensory input which is often difficult for them. Following are pictures of some of the riders competing in equitation.
Ride on and ride for hope.
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