Any of you around long enough to remember the start
of competitive rides in the 70s? I will never forget my first 2 day 60 on
my very first arab who was spookier than anything I had ever ridden in my
life. My friends use to laugh, tell me to fasten my seat belt, and then
have me lead!! But I learned about spooking and backing big time when we
had to open, from the back of our horses since we were not allowed off the horse
for any forward motion on trail, the SPRING gate. One pulled this
rope, the gate sprang open towards the rider and horse!! I have never seen
horses back and spook so fast as those arabs when we opened that gate. No
wonder I perfected the right handed death grip.
Jeanie
