Proof The Bible Is True

It seemed that everyone in Texas who owned a horse competed in Play Days, but I had never tried. In our 22 years together, my horse, Wrangler, and I had participated in plenty of trail rides and parades. We’d even ridden in the Grand Entry at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

But we’d never competed in skill and speed competitions, which was what Play Days were all about.

“Have you ever considered joining the Wagon Wheel Saddle Club?” the veterinarian’s assistant asked one day after giving Wrangler a checkup.

“A club that competes,” I said, looking at the flyer up on her wall. “I don’t know about that.”

“It’s not too late to start,” she said. “Your horse would love it.”

I mentioned the idea to my husband, Lloyd, that night. Our son, Colton, was getting older and more independent, and I had more time on my hands. “The problem is, people in those clubs have been practicing for years,” I said. “I’d never be able to catch up.”

“Why not give it a try?” said Lloyd. “I bet Wrangler would enjoy showing off.”

“That’s what the vet said, too.”

So there I was with Wrangler on the first day of Play Days season, watching a young girl weave her horse in and out of a line of barrels at top speed. A man plucked a flag out of a barrel full of sand, galloped to the other end of the ring and jammed the flag into another barrel. Talk about precision timing!

“What was I thinking?” I said, leaning on the fence with other folks who were watching. “I’m 42. How can I expect to compete with the likes of these people?”

Read More  Wrangler’s Wild Ride – Guideposts.