RE: Selling a horse to the Sultans of Swing

["Maryanne Stroud Gabbani" <maryanne@ratbusters.net>]

Howard, dear, I'm going to be very nice and assume that you are kidding. The
worst that's likely to happen to me is that poor Michael Stone or Feisal
Seddiq get annoyed with me a little, but safety is so much a non-issue here
it isn't funny. The most dangerous thing I'm likely to do is cross the
street, but for that matter, New York was almost as bad. I often criticise
the values of the riders who are coming from the Gulf background, but on the
other hand, I understand where they are coming from. I just don't
particularly like it and I'd like my people here to learn different values.
So far we are doing well.

We had a 40 km set speed ride here under the "leadership" of the local
branch of the FEI, the EEF, and basically with the hard work of the usual
gang who help me out. Because I was away for the three weeks leading up to
the ride and only arrived the night before, all I did was to show up late
with one of my mares (Dorika) and a brand new Sharon Saare saddle to try out
and do informal drag riding. I have to say that our riders are improving in
their skills and attitudes with every ride. I was very proud of them, and
believe me, if some people could see who I was proud of, they might be
surprised. These are down and dirty scoundrels from the pyramids stables who
can't read and write, but they are learning to care for their horses and I
am proud of them. I give them hell when they mess up, but they know why I do
it. They might argue with me, but they would protect me with their lives if
they thought it necessary. That's why I'll never leave this crazy country.

I also learned that Sharon's saddles are amazingly well-balanced. The only
girth I had with me turned out (once I was about 3 km out) to be about 4
inches too long. There was daylight between that girth and Dory's chest,
belly, whatever and it was basically swinging loose. If anyone had asked me
if I could ride a horse without a girth, I'd have said no, but I did for
about 2 hours that day.  Mind you, after 12 hours on a plane the day before
I could barely walk that night.

So happy to be home.
Maryanne Stroud Gabbani
Cairo, Egypt
maryanne@ratbusters.net
www.ratbusters.net


Maryanne, you're very brave writing about them this way, living so damn
close.  Keep in touch with the US military, you may need them one day.  I
know a couple of Grunts who are stationed close to you and I'll ask them to
keep a good watch over you and your horses.

cya,
Howard