Pony Tales by Sandra Murphy
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THE GRANDAUGHTER CHRONICLES:PART VIII
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out the saddle!” Somewhere along it a try, some of the more successful
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Being the proud Grandparent of the line, one of the little riding school ones then got off, stood and helped
a 7 year old child that loves riding, the kids had done just that at an uncle’s the others and then got on again.
best blessing is the presence of po- farm. After some persuading, the Some gave up and some did not.
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nies that are safe in just about all situ- answer was “yes, IF you get them For me, my child was one of the
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ations. Realizing that there can always ready and bring them to the ring”….. ones who just could not figure it out,
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be a weird happening that will send which they did with so much laughter no matter what. She watched the oth-
even the best of them into rebellion, it made me giggle like I was involved er children and tried everything they
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it is comforting to know that those too. did, but each time, just before she got
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times will be few and far between. Into the ring they marched, an even on, the beloved Scamp would turn
The riding school she rides at has a dozen of them, waiting to know what around and look her in the eye for
vast assortment of ponies and horses, was next. The instructor, with a large treats. Watching that happen to some
and her special love at the moment is group of volunteers, sat on a jump in of the other children kept her frustra-
a scraggly one named “Scamp.” The the middle of the ring, said “get on” tion in check and she mimicked them
oceans will part, the sky will always be and just looked at them. “I said just in their continual efforts. She ended
blue and life is great up in the dirt with the
as long as this pony climbing from the
plays across the land- jump effort, hung on
scape of her dreams the side of the pony
each night. Nothing before letting go when
this pony will ever the fence try happened
do will change the and just petted that
passion and drive rotten pony every time
for this child to see he turned to look at
it at least every other her with those adoring
day, lesson or not. I eyes.
have indulged this In the end the volun-
in her as I believe it teers were as exhaust-
will help form com- ed as the children as
mitted relationships they kept really close
later in life as she control of the group
grows up. YES, it is effort, the adults were
a terrible inconvenience at times, but get on,” and she smiled as she looked tired from all the laughing and clap-
each time we walk into that stall the at them again. Of course “HOW?” ping and cheering on of their chil-
irritation of making ANOTHER trip was the immediate question in re- dren, the ponies gladly trotted around
to the barn evaporates. sponse from the little riders. “If you like good soldiers when the children
This past weekend my granddaugh- want to ride, you will find the way, were finally on and the instructor was
ter got introduced to the wonderful, GO AHEAD and get on!” SO proud of them.
but scary, art of riding ponies bare- On that note the next 30 minutes But mostly, in the end, this was an
back. Up to this point in her riding, were spent with children crawling, event that will never be forgotten in
there has always been the sanctity and climbing, swinging and springing in the minds of these little people. What
security of that great piece of leather every direction with the intent to land victory, what valor, what success AND
between her and the pony. But all on the back of some pony that was what just plain good fun for a group
children love the art of exploration ever so patiently going along with of 7-10 year olds in a sport they love.
and something new. this exercise. Some climbed on the The Olympic dream may be next, but
On that Saturday, the entire group jumps and gave their best attempt at for now it is the pleasure of dreaming
of the children cornered the barn swinging a leg over (some made it and about ponies and friends.
owner pleading, with giant eyes, for some did not), some found the arena
the chance to “just sit on them with- fence a place to climb up on and give
12
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