Sometimes Memories have to be shared.

     Years ago, when I trained horses in Oklahoma I had a horse friend Janet, who became a horse customer.  We had some great adventures for a while.  Some of my favorite memories are from when I travelled with her.  The good people, good horses, and good memories are what make the horse business worth it. 

    I had a two year old pleasure colt for Janet and I helped her with her driving horse from time to time and we decided to head to Omaha, NE to show at the fall futurities they had at Ak Sar Ben,  For one reason or another we left late and decided to drive up the turnpike go through Kansas City and on into Omaha.  On the way through Topeka there was road construction and we had to detour through town and traffic sucked and we came upon some people picketing.  Keep in mind this would have been in the early 90's and they were holding up signs with sayings on them like "aids is gods punishment for fags" and "death to gays" and such and you guessed.  It was the Westborough Baptist Church.  Well I was looking in my mirror at Janet behind me and I could actually see this incredulous look on her face her mouth was gapped open.   You see Janet was from California and Kansas was a little more far religious right than she had experienced before.  I saw her pick up her phone and I answered and she said where the hell are you taking me,  get me out of here before we get killed.  and we wandered on our way to Omaha.  We both were showing yearling lunge line, various pleasure classes and Pleasure Driving.

My grandparents had driven in to watch us show and we were showing the driving while they were there.  We were both driving stallions and I had a decent go and for some reason Bubba was not in the driving mood that day and Janet was not happy.  We headed out the arena and up the ramp and my grandparents were at the top waiting.  Janet said I'm going to drive and your coming with me.  Now this is where the story actually gets fun.  Instead of un hooking and putting Jess away.  I asked my grandfather if he wanted to ride along.  He climbed in and off we went.  I need to explain at this time that my Grandfather knew how to drive. He had driving working horses when he was younger and when we were growing up he had shetland ponies and they all knew how to drive.  4 in Hand he did parades and such and took us for rides all the time.  We headed out to the track where we werent supposed to be and proceded to drive around it for a good long time.  Grandpa and I in one buggy and Janet in her buggy with me giving her guidance trying to get Bubba to come to the party.  At some point she side to get in her buggy and just drive him so I did.  My grandpa had watched me drive numerous times at shows.  I had never asked him, or even thought to ask him to drive one for me or for any help.  He was just happy to go along.  I quite stupidly asked him if he could "handle" driving Jess and said to just jog around until we finished.  I climbed in with Janet and off we went.  We had driven for a good long while jogging and road gaiting and working on various things and I was absorbed in what I was doing trying to bring Bubba to the party and we started road gaiting around the track.  After a few minutes Janet said dont look now but your grandfather is right behind us.  I hadnt given him a thought after getting in Janets buggy.  When I looked back he was roadgaiting just to our left, leaning back and over the shaft like a pro.  Jess was taking these huge strides with his shoulders up by hes ears pointing his toes, his neck hung out perfect just singing along .  I was crying in seconds.  The person in the world I loved the most driving the horse I loved the most.  It was like a moment frozen in time.   We continued aroud the track at the roadgait a ways basically until I gathered up my composure and then slowed to a jog and watched my Grandfather trot some circles and pivot around on one wheel back in a circle and basically put an a short driving clinic.  Just as matter of fact as breathing.   We headed back to the stalls trying to get there before dark where we found my grandmother sitting on a tack truck waiting patiently like she always did. 

     I have many many great horse show memories but that one will always be my favorite.  I enjoyed showing with Janet very much and feel terrible that we havent kept in touch better.I've never had the chance or taken the time until now to thank her for that moment.  If Bubba handn't been a dick, and she hadn't been frustrated I never would have had the opportunity to share driving with my grandpa.    Time and life get in the way and keep us from taking the time to do and say some of the things that we should.