Re: [RC] "John Henry the Wonder Horse" and "The Gifts of Tevis" Part I - Jody Rogers-Buttram
Way to go Bruce....Joni and I were hoping you would make it for a couple of reasons:
1. Because you have certainly tried enough times
2. You were riding one of the two creatures that my bestest friend Angie McGhee says she would never ride....that being a gaited horse, and the other is a mule. ;-))
Your friends,
Jody and Joni...along with Cash Pony (1/2 TWH) and April and Lil Danny ( the upcoming Tevis mules !!!! )
--- On Tue, 8/4/09, Bruce Weary DC <bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Bruce Weary DC <bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [RC] "John Henry the Wonder Horse" and "The Gifts of Tevis" Part I To: "RideCamp" <Ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 2:40 PM
I am writing this little memoir at the flattering request of an embarrassing number of good people who, for some reason, have taken an inordinate interest in my horse and our completion of the Tevis this last Saturday (and a good part of Sunday). There is so much to tell, that I just couldn't seem to boil it down to one title, as it is really a story of the wonders of the ride itself, as well as the horse that carried me through it. I will have to write in installments, as I want to do this ride justice, but also don't wish to bore anyone. So if I ramble on too much, I hope someone will be kind-hearted enough to tell me to please shut up! Many people know that this was my seventh attempt at Tevis, and though it honestly never occurred to me to quit trying or to be embarrassed about my past failures, I was painfully aware of the disappointment and vicarious suffering
endured by my wife and the many friends who have pulled for me over the years. It was really for these people, more than myself, that I wanted to finish this time, and why we trained and prepared so fully over the last year. I felt it was the least John Henry and I could do in return for the friendships and support we had enjoyed all along. Inspiration is where you find it, and I found it in some unusual places: Winston Churchill's shortest and most famous speech, "Never give up. Never, never, give up." The 2004 Tevis video. The match race in "Seabiscuit." The immortal words of that 21st century philosopher, Rocky Balboa, who said, "It's not about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward." I know, it's cheesy, but it worked for me. As far as inspirational people, there were many, some of whom certainly deserve to be mentioned here. First and
foremost, my wife, Dayna. She is not only the love of my life and my very best friend, she has offered the greatest support and the harshest critical insight when I needed both. She has foregone her love affair with the Tevis trail for several years so that I might keep trying. She is known in familiar circles as the "Crewing Queen," a title that is extremely well deserved. Though she owns a 50th anniversary buckle, she has more Tevis dreams of her own, one of which is to wear a 1,000 mile buckle someday. Thank you, honey. I could not have achieved this goal, nor the life I have, without you. I love you. Then there are people like Barbara White, who has become our friend, confidante, advisor and co-captain in getting Dayna's horse, Crickett, to the Tevis finish line twice. Barbara earned her record 28th and 29th buckle on Crickett, and we think it only fair that the least she can do now is put him through college before
returning him to us. :) Thank you, Barbara, for wanting this as badly as we did. Barbara's mother, Julie Suhr, is an inspiration to so many, including Dayna and I, and I guess one can have no stronger mojo working in your favor at Tevis, than to have Julie pulling so hard for us. They say that in order to finish Tevis, you must make peace with the "Tevis Gods." I think the Gods knew that if we didn't finish, they would be hearing from Julie Suhr, and it wasn't going to be pretty, so they left us alone on ride day. Julie's husband, Bob, though usually content to quietly reside in the background while everything Tevis swirls around him, is a man I would very much like to resemble when I grow up. He is remarkably funny, principled, an accomplished endurance rider, and openly adores his bride. Any man would do well to emulate him. Thank you, Bob and Julie. Without a doubt, the most important figure as far as actually helping
me to effectively prepare John Henry for what he would face on the Tevis trail, thus assuring our success, is Michele Roush, DVM. She agreed to be my coach very early on in our training. She is extremely knowledgeable, detail oriented, and thorough. I learned more from her about how to condition a horse than I had learned in 25 years of endurance riding experience. Michele, we simply would not have finished had it not been for your coaching, insight, strategies and steerage on ride day. Though I was often not the best student, we nailed the final exam! Thank you so much for your friendship, patience and guidance. Other notable people include Dick Dawson, Dr. Susan Garlinghouse, Karen Chaton, Bruce Anderson, Dr. David Nicholson, Ron Barrett, Jeanetta Sturgeon and a host of others who, at one time or another, added inspiration or a piece to the puzzle. I hope you all know who you are. Thank you.
