Well I had the most exciting day in I don't know how long! Team penning. I left home at about 9:30 with Jet, the bus and trailer for about a 20 minute drive down into the Qu 'Appelle Valley to Beavercreek Ranch on the Seven Bridges road. There were about 20 people there and about 1/3 of us had never done this before. About 20 yearling calves with numbers stuck to their backs are held down at one end of the arena and we are all at the other. First we watched some riders with experience and I got the general gist of it all. I was then paired with Brenda, one of the owners and an 'expert'. I was told to ride INTO the herd and go after a certain number. I rode Jet straight into the herd he pushed his way through until we drove out the 'right' beast. Two other riders were in position to 'feather' and guard the pen. The idea is to get 3 of the same numbered calves into a pen at the other end of the arena. Easier said than done. BUT I had a great time. It was active, exciting, challenging and intense. I loved every minute of it. I had not one ounce of fear that stopped me from participating but I retained a healthy respect for my space and always remained attentive. When you get a bunch of strange horses in close quarters anything can happen. I'd go back in a heart beat and I will.
I left a bit early so I could go home and get cleaned up for a doo at the Delta in Regina. The Saskatchewan Community Newspaper awards. Mom and Dad were there and sister Debra as guests of longtime friends from the Wadena News- the Squires family. Lovely supper and great company. Dd must have been the oldest there and he got a chance to talk to many editors and newspaper people who he has known over the years.
Normally we both are with the bus when we do these horse trips. It often helps to have a partner to look for oncoming traffic when crossing a 4 lane highway and Lee and I always worked as a team. Well today I did it alone and it just takes a bit more planning and focus. Its all about being in the moment.
A while back I wrote about me wondering if I'd find joy again in riding. I could not imagine joy without Lee. It is getting easier and I did find joy. What I miss is her presence so I can tell her about my day. She would have loved to watch it all and better yet, she would have loved to participate.
I need a lesson from a writer. I am muddling up tenses and some of my writing is in a letter form directed at Lee and others like this one just ramble...Maybe this will be a book someday. Might as well learn to write this properly so I don't have to do it all over again later....I am bushed..
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