|
My First Ride It all began when a neighbor offered me my first ride on the back of her palomino Quarter Horse. That was the only time she ever took me for a ride and I'm sure she never knew the impact that it had on me.
I was eight years old and from that moment on I became obsessed with horses. I read every book about horses in our school and county library numerous times. I dreamed about them and drew pictures of them. I wanted one so badly that it felt like a physical ache. My First Pony I still remember my surprise when my dad came home one day with a beautiful dappled pony, Cricket, that he had bought at an auction. She came with a black saddle with a red, stitched seat. The only problem was that Cricket was not trained. I never was able to ride her. Every time I tried, I got bucked off and Cricket would take off down the road. It didn't diminish my love of horses in the least.
Not long after that we moved, and to my delight, one of our new neighbors had several horses and ponies. He offered to teach me to ride and eventually took Cricket and one of my dad's pigs as a trade for one of his well-trained ponies, named Dolly.
That was when the fun really began with 4-H, horse shows, fairs, parades, and trail rides over the years as I was growing up. Later I had three daughters of my own and we all enjoyed riding together. Christian Cowgirl Club When my oldest daughter was a teen, she attended a Worldview Academy camp. Parents were invited to attend the last camp session, given by Bill Jack. I remember the topic very well. He urged people to use whatever it is that God has given us, to help spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At first I didn't see how I could use horses to do that, but the idea was planted.  Have you ever noticed that when God wants you to do something, you start hearing about the same thing over and over again in different ways? Later I heard bits of Scripture from John Lyons at some of his clinics and in his Perfect Horse magazine. Then we heard about Lew Sterrett and his Sermon on the Mount presentations which focus on the parallel between training horses and our own relationship to God.
In 2002 my three daughters and I started a group we called the Christian Cowgirl Club, for young girls in our area that didn't have horses. The club was a way for us to share both our faith and our horses. We had the girls over once a week in the summers so they could learn to ride and care for horses. We also incorporated a bible lesson and other activities such as games and crafts. What I Do Besides Horses I have homeschooled my three daughters since 1994. My oldest is now a nurse. My middle daughter is in college and my youngest is a sophomore. I encourage everyone to homeschool. I can't imagine doing it any other way. Besides you can count all your horse activities as gym class credit! I recently published a children's book, "Sonrise Stable: Rosie and Scamper." Though the story is fictional, it is based largely on events from my own life with our horses. Details about the book can be found in the store section of the site. I enjoy reading, hiking, biking, and playing guitar. I have worked from home as a web designer since 2003. I have a passion for bringing others into a saving relationship with Christ. Blessings to all of you and your equine ministries! Vicki Watson
|
