Little kids at the barn crack me up

Kids are seriously funny, especially when they don’t mean to be. Like today.

There’s a little guy at our barn who loves to hang on the fence and watch us work our horses. He’s been there for years, from his stick pony days to his current lead-line show career. And he is filled with questions, especially about all things horsey.

So there we were. I was in the outdoor arena, catching some pre-weather schooling time with the mare, as a storm brewed in the distance.

“C’mon, girlfriend,” I said, urging her to bend to the right.

“Why you call your horse girlfriend?” he asked. (Yes, that’s exactly how he said it.)

“She’s a girl. And she’s my buddy,” I answered.

“Well, why you call your horse girlfriend?” he repeated.

“OK,” I said. “You know how your mom calls you Little Man?”

He looked at me in shock, as if I’d just revealed some deep, dark secret. Then he nodded.

“Ye-ah-ah?”

“When you really love someone, you come up with special extra names sometimes,” I explained.

“Oh.”

He was dead serious. I couldn’t possibly laugh. It’d be so mean. But it was so funny. I had to turn my back for a moment.

“C’mon, girlfriend. Back to work.”

He swung down from the fence and dashed off after the barn dog. Serious discussion over. I totally lost it – out there by myself with my horse.

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Public domain photo

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Inspired by this Para Equestrian Dressage video

It’s easy to come up with excuses for not riding. Maybe the weather’s not quite right. Perhaps I’m not feeling up to snuff today. Then I look at something like this Para Equestrian Dressage video, and I gain a renewed inspiration. Seeing riders overcoming real-life challenges pretty much blows away my own meager excuses.

What is Para Equestrian Dressage?

Para-Equestrian Dressage is similar to standard dressage, although it is designed for individuals with various physical or visual impairments. FEI rules apply to competitions, although certain accommodations may be made for participants, based on their levels of impairment. Riders may use one hand, if needed. Some have held the reins in their teeth. Rubber bands, connecting rein bars, and other assistive riding devices are permitted.

Participants are classified in various grades for competitions, in which they perform pre-established and musical freestyle patterns (much like standard dressage).

Para-Equestrian Dressage is the only equestrian discipline in the International Paralympic Games, as it has been for two decades. Paralympics does not refer to paralysis, per se. The name comes from the fact that these events occur alongside, or parallel to, the general Olympic Games. The same principle holds for Para Equestrian Dressage.

Take a look at this YouTube video, published today by Deloitte US, presenting sponsor of both the US Para-Equestrian Dressage Team and the US Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. The team is training now for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

I think I will saddle up tomorrow, kick MS to the curb, and ride that horse again. We’re not aiming for any big-deal competition, but we’re ready to play anyway. Can I get an Amen?

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Video screenshot – fair use

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