First Show, by Glen Crofford

BAMM!!!!!, the noise was loud, expected but not anticipated. All of a sudden, I am moving forward as if pushed by the hand of a giant. I had better wake up and get my act together pronto! OK, Where is my partner? That's good, she is right beside me. Now we ease up to get ready for the Mariner's Cross, now! That was good, to the back of the line and wait till the next maneuver. OH! OH! I am supposed to look for Mom, Dad, Grandma and Gramps, and see them waving at me. You Bet! There must be a zillion people up there and I am going to pick them out? Not a chance. I will tell them that I thought that I saw them out of the comer of my eyes. They will buy that! Here we go, WOW I just realized that my old horse is running like never before, it is almost like he knows the drill better than I do. Time for the propeller. Yowee! This is a blast, I love being on the end, time to change pace and directions for a moment, now back on the end. Now out and into pairs this is slow and easy. Ease into a line, easy buddy, time for a salute. Maybe a quick look for Mom? No way, they're probably on the other side. OK, another trip around, then out, almost there .... OK ... now the dash for the gate . . . FANTASTIC, PERFECT . . . Slow it down, now where is the GUY that is always there to take my flag? Right where he should be, I need to high five my teammates, what a Great Job! Way to go!! It is hard to believe that after all the years of practice in the lower, practice in the upper, practice in the middle, practice in the Rodeo and practice in the Red, here I am, My First Big Show, YOWEEE, I did it!!!

Why are they yelling at me, OH YA, I forgot, need to tie my horse up and turn in my costume. YAY Team, you ain't kidding we did good! Say, just before we went in, did you see that neat looking cowboy that was standing next to us? No dummy, the one with the black hat Well, he was putting the moves on me, you know winking and smiling. What do you mean, he just had dirt in his eye? Huh? The instructor is upset and wants a meeting after we cool down the horses, No Way!!! I can't believe that!!!

Well old friend, you were great, what a good horse. Maybe I can spot that cowboy, let's get to the paddock. I don't see him anymore, Oh well. You know what old buddy, you got all lathered up. I may spend more time cooling you off than we spent in the drill . . . but that is all right . . . maybe I'll miss the big meeting? What do they mean, get someone to cool down my horse and get to the meeting NOW! Rats . . .

I have no clue what drill he was watching . . . what's he mean we weren't very sharp and we were not paying attention and the drill took too long? I need to get back to my horse! . . .

Clean the stalls, feed and water, put down fresh straw, check and clean the tack, wrap the legs, check for cuts, wounds, bruises, check that his shoes are still on and tight? I had heard rumors about this, but this is absurd! Our instructor said that the drill lasted 10.5 minutes, this ground work is going to take 2.0 hours. I wonder if someone can show me the trick to this wheelbarrow thingy. I wonder why Dad never taught me how to use a shovel and pitchfork? I hope that I don't get this stuff all over my clothes.

Here is Mom, Dad, Gramps and Grandma. What do you know, they bought my lame story. Yes, Grandma, I have stuff all over me. Gramps, you always seem to know. Yes . . . all of the years of training, the joys and sorrows and the hard work are but a small price to pay when me and my best friend are as one . . performing with my team in THE SHOW!!!

Note: The preceding thoughts were transmitted using satellite.syber.twaves and recorded using DVD.ULTRA.MILLINIUM technology. Many thanks to our rider, Ann Onymous, for her assistance.