The Ride Goes On

For anyone who knows women who own/or ride horses, you probably know that these are strong and courageous women with something special that not every woman has going for them.

When I was a girl, I dreamed of having a horse. The extent of my knowledge of what it would take to be a horse owner was inconsequential, all I could think about was the thrill of the relationship with my horse and the ride! And, I always imagined that I would marry a horse rancher in Tahiti . . .  aww the "stuff that dreams are made of!"

In my mid-teens, reality set in. It didn't look like I was going to marry a horse rancher from Tahiti, because I fell in love with a So. California surfer boy who had no desire to ride a horse, much less own one.


I also discovered that I was allergic to all types of dogs, cats and horse hair - so there went that dream, but I still so enjoyed the idea of being a horsewoman, anyway. The extent of my riding horses was limited to riding "Thunder," an aged farm horse on my Aunt and Uncle's farm in Arkansas, riding with my cousin, Anne, who tried to lose me in mesquite trees in New Mexico and spending time on a "dude ranch" in Lake Elizabeth, California where we had a family membership for a few years.

To me, people who ride and own horses are people who take risks and who have an extra measure of courage and sense of adventure. For women who ride horses, I believe that they think out of the box and have real guts and self-confidence and it has been my experience that they are just more passionate about life than most women, too! 

Natalie Ford-Adriacato (my beautiful niece) is one of these remarkable horsewomen and she recently shared something with me about why she owns and rides horses. Natalie has faced some very significant challenges in her life, but her spirit of adventure and a desire to "ride on" is inspiring.  She LOVES horses, has had some great ones through the years and the new colt she just purchased will soon be a part of her and her husband's farm in Australia . . .  I hope you enjoy reading about her passion for horses . . . 

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"When first learning to ride well over 25 years ago, I clearly remember one day in particular where I had a pretty bad fall from my horse. I got up, dusted myself off and before I could even think about it, I heard a voice yell my way from a little old cowgirl named Suzie. “Get back on! Right now! Get back on!” she demanded, as she came charging towards me looking very determined. She was one of my mentors and an amazing horsewoman, so when she spoke, I listened! I got back on! It took me a lot more years of riding...and learning, to realize why she made me get back up there and so quickly. She knew that if I didn't get back up there and have a better ride, and prove to myself and the horse, I could do it, then I would have lost some of my confidence, maybe grown to fear this animal I loved so much. She knew that with that one fall I may have given up on my passion all together and walked away. After that moment and over the years, and many other falls later, some so bad I have been left with some permanent damage, no matter what...I got up and I got back on. For me, horses have taught me better than anyone ever could that life is all about getting up and getting back on," so that the "ride goes on!"

And, so, when I saw the picture and quote at the top of this blogpage,  I was reminded that one day, many years ago, I had a dream of being a part of something bigger and more powerful than myself. Little did I know then that the dream would have nothing to do with horses, but rather being a part of a passionate, rich and full LIFE. No matter what has or will come my way, how many times I stumble, fall down, get knocked down by some challenging issue or situation,  I have learned that in order to fully live, I must get up and get back to the business of living, because the ride indeed "goes on!"