Pony Tales THE GRANDAUGHTER CHRONICLES
P O N Y
T A L E S
get to compete in the Short Stirrup classes. She has visited the place, always keeping her eyes on the Grand Prix ring, the vic- tory gallop and the autograph tables. As she walks down that line, she leans her head on her arm on the table to get as close as she can to the pen as they sign their names, watching every stroke with admiration. When her place in line comes to one of her favorites she
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always gets unusually quiet as though to not scare them away. What makes her think they will get up and bolt out of there is beyond me, but she has expressed that fear before. At Sacramento, she ran like the wind immediately to the be- ginning of the line the minute the class was over. It takes the riders a bit of time to get there which only added to her excite- ment so I stood patiently as the area became packed, kids got excited…. and I listened. What I heard is the pleasant ripple of excitement each time any of the riders came and sat down. Finally the wiggling of the kids hit mach speed and the line started chugging its way down the table. She got exceedingly quiet as the line neared a couple of the
young riders, Saer Coulter and Karl Cook. Karl always takes the time to speak to her while he signs what she pokes in front of him, and she enjoys every second of it. “He is my friend,” she proudly announces. When she got to Saer she grew obviously extremely silent and I was beginning to wonder whatever was happening in her mind now!! Catching her eye, Saer said hello, leaned across the table and
hermal is right around the corner and my grand- daughter is counting the days till she gets go there for her first “big” horse show. She is sharing a horse with a friend of a friend of a friend and will
and it seemed all the world stood still for this child. Saer asked if she rode, yes, she asked where she lived, LA, she asked her favorite horse, YOURS! And then Saer asked her favorite rider. That took a minute to answer as the child looked up and down the table making this decision a grand job. “Rich Fellers is, and then Karl” she said. “Then Harley, then
Francie and then all the rest of them,” she said swinging her arms wide as the entire tabled laughed. “But,” she exclaimed. “You are the one I’m going to ride like!” But Saer was up from the table and gone to another committment. To soften the surprise of a rider leaving, just like she always was afraid one would, I asked her, “And why is that?” Deafening silence was the child’s response. As we got into the car to go back to the hotel before the long
ride back to LA, I asked her again why she wanted to ride like Saer. “Because she has red hair too and that makes her special and win, and that makes me special too so I bet I can win!!” As I stroked her red hair and tucked her into bed with her still
clutching her autographed shirt and the magazine, I stopped and wondered if the riders really do know what they mean to their fans. I hope they have just the slightest inkling how amaz- ingly important those few minutes are to the kids waiting all that time for a split minute with their idols. I really wonder if the riders realize the next Grand Prix horse
owner could be winding up that line. I wonder if they realize the next million dollar class sponsor could be waiting for a child that stood there in awe. I wonder sometimes in their own ex- citement if the riders even notice, I know most do. And I can tell you this child noticed!! She can tell you every
gentle pried the shirt and a ShowBiz magazine out of her hand to sign them. My granddaughter started to giggle as did Saer and the ice was broken. The chattering between them started
rider that showed up and every rider that stayed and waited for her to come up the line…THAT is how the riders live in the hearts of the kids. Handle them with care and respect, and re- member to them you are a HERO, at least for this child!
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