Pony Tales by Sandra Murphy
I have signed my granddaughter up
or two since I was. I knew the very in-
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have to be “normal”, like I thought she
for riding lessons at a local stable in our
stant I took hold of the handle that I
could understand that word at this mo-
O
area. She is 7 years old and has begged,
was in for an entertaining afternoon, and
ment. We selected a nice riding “T” shirt
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pleaded, bargained and finally won that
I was not disappointed.
which I gave in to it being pink. Then we
battle, but of course I knew she even-
At the very sight of “all that stuff ” she
went to the saddle pads and the only one
Y
tually would anyway!! It is reminiscent
scurried like a little field mouse, straight
both of us could agree on was, of course,

of that look I get from her just before
for all the pink children’s clothing and
PINK. Next we needed a crop and there
she pats my leg, like one of her imagi-
equipment covering rack after rack. Pink
was the most charming pink one with
T nary ponies, and climbs up in my lap
saddle pads, pink bell boots, pink leg
rhinestones, most certainly it went into
A
to again watch the Precious Pony CD I
guards, pink silk helmet cover and even
our basket. The riding pants, breeches as
found at a 99 cent store.
PINK rubber reins for the bridle. I do
I call them and JO-FERS in her terms,
L Of course there are lots of things believe they knew we were coming and were just being unpacked and guess what
E
she will need, and of course the rid-
completely re-arranged their store so the
was on top….a great pair of Ariat pink
ing school said it would be a good idea
first thing she would see was PINK!
plaid. A new color that was all the fad the
S
to shop for most of it right away. So
She stopped right in the middle of the
saleslady quickly pointed out.
I decided we would go shopping and
room where all that pink was and spun
If you have never seen a pair of chil-
spend an afternoon at the local tack
herself around about three times and
dren’s pink riding gloves, you are in for a
store. Seemed like a fairly easy task and
then stopped and seemed to breathe so
surprise. Not only do they come in pink,
one that would keep her safest since
deep I thought we would have to get the
you can select from an entire rack of chil-
the first thing on the list was a helmet
EMT! “OH GRAMMA!!! This is ALL
dren’s gloves that have pink somewhere
to protect her tiny head for “when she
for me!” she said as she threw her arms
on them. Well, so I’m a sap and a softy,
falls!” Yep, that about took my breath
high in the air and let out the best giggle
the gloves went into the pile.
away, the very thought of her flying
and high pitched laugh. “It is ALL just
When it was all purchased she request-
through the air like a lawn dart to do
my size, isn’t that GREAT??!!” Oh my, I
ed, in an oh so pleasant sing song voice,
the dirt diving trick children do when
was a goner.
that she put it all on to make sure it all
they depart their mighty steeds.
We bargained and we negotiated and I
“fits me” and she disappeared into the
She has never been to a tack store, and
took a stance that ONE pink item would
changing room while I found a soft place
to be quite honest, it has been a decade
suffice on this trip and the rest would
to sit and wait. Cont. on page 20
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