| His ears perked up when he heard the jangle of his | | | | and I asked Sharon, our group leader, if I could gallop |
| halter coming towards his newly painted barn. He | | | | around the arena on my horse Skeeter holding the |
| whirled around and trotted to the gate giving a soft | | | | flag. A simple answer of "yes" caused goosebumps |
| low nicker. He nuzzled up against me, his soft pointed | | | | on my arm. Here was my big moment! I had always |
| whiskers tickled my arm as he continued down to my | | | | sat on the sidelines at the beginning of a rodeo and |
| hand to make sure I had a juicy carrot waiting for him. | | | | watched a pretty cowgirl on a fast horse carrying our |
| After consuming his delicious orange treat he lowered | | | | proud flag at a dead run. Now in just a few seconds a |
| his small quarter horse head trying to stand still with | | | | dream that I had since I was a little girl was about to |
| excitement as if he knew the faster I put his halter on, | | | | come true! |
| the sooner he would be going somewhere fun. | | | | I took a tight hold of my leather reins, pushing the |
| His registered Paint name was "Tonto's Golden C Bar", | | | | flagpole down snugly and leaned forward in my saddle. |
| but I just called him "Skeeter" for short. We headed for | | | | Skeeter sensed the excitement, he could probably feel |
| the horse trailer at a brisk walk. His spirited prance | | | | my heart pumping fast. As I started around the arena |
| under the brightness of the late afternoon sun showed | | | | the echoing voices of my city friends advice entered |
| off his shiny brown and white muscular body. As we | | | | into my mind, "Your too old to ride, if you get hurt your |
| got closer to the horse trailer I continued to explain to | | | | bones will never mend!" |
| him we had an important task ahead of us. Against | | | | My fear quickly left as the summer night air felt cool on |
| my better judgment I had volunteered to carry the | | | | my face as Skeeter started around the circular arena. |
| American Flag for the Wranglers Color Guard on | | | | I asked him for a slow start, but Skeeter had two |
| horseback for the start of the rodeo and the parade in | | | | speeds, walk and run. His powerful determination had |
| my hometown. One of the young persons who usually | | | | us in a dead run in a matter of seconds. I could hear |
| rode could not ride. Without a fourth rider the Color | | | | his strong hooves throwing up large chunks of moist |
| Guard would have to be cancelled. | | | | dirt hitting the side of the metal arena. The wind had |
| I arrived early to the rodeo arena for practice where a | | | | lifted my soft curls from the back of my cowgirl hat |
| small leather pouch was strapped to the side of the | | | | and I could feel my hair blowing behind me in the |
| stirrup on my saddle. The idea was to put the flagpole | | | | desert summer air. Our proud flag loudly whipped its |
| in the pouch and hopefully hold up my flag. It was | | | | colors under the bright arena lights as we rounded |
| suggested I practice holding the huge flag in the soft | | | | each corner of the big arena with a perfect turn not |
| sand first. Did they know something I didn't? | | | | losing a beat. I suddenly felt a strong urge to scream |
| The flag was brought out in a wrapped position. As | | | | out something into the night air. As we continued at a |
| the colorful flag began to unravel, my horse "Skeeter" | | | | rough gallop I shouted out in a loud and emotional tone, |
| jumped sideways a few yards. I took a tighter hold of | | | | "LOOK AT ME NOW, MA!" |
| my leather reins and regained my seat in the saddle, | | | | Words cannot explain or come close to describe the |
| forcefully whirling him around to face our task. I could | | | | sensation of those few moments. I was experiencing |
| feel the strength in his thousand pound body as he | | | | something I had never thought possible. Why had I |
| began to tremble and point his ears forward to | | | | never asked to do this before? There wasn't a crowd, |
| seriously examine what he thought was the | | | | I wasn't on TV and no one probably even noticed, but |
| "Boogie-Man". His powerful frame forced us into the air | | | | for me I could imagine the grandstands with a large |
| and with one quick jump had us headed in the direction | | | | roaring crowd and could feel the goosebumps on my |
| of home. A few more sideways leaps, a lot of backing | | | | chilled arms as our proud flag whipped in the wind as |
| up and enough snorting to clean out his nostrils, he | | | | Skeeter continued his hard gallop several times around |
| finally listened to my concerned voice, "Easy Skeeter, | | | | the empty arena. |
| Easy!" Hearing his riders trusted voice he started to | | | | That was one of the last times Skeeter and I shared |
| settle down and soon figured out the stick object that | | | | an incredible experience together. Like most people |
| had something attached to it wasn't going to hurt him. | | | | we never take the time to do things we love or dream |
| Within the hour the long pole holding the flag sat in a | | | | about because our busy lifestyles get in the way of |
| correct position pointing straight up towards the | | | | doing things that truly make us happy. |
| darkening sky. We were on our way. After learning | | | | On June 15, 2005 Skeeter lost his painful battle and his |
| the different commands, Skeeter and I were turning | | | | life due to a large intestinal stone. In 18 years he never |
| and walking in an almost straight row beside the other | | | | showed signs of wanting to give up or never |
| three riders holding their large flags. | | | | complained when I asked him for more. His strong |
| You always see this stuff on TV but ya never give it | | | | heart to always give me everything he had and our |
| much thought as to how much time and practice | | | | partnership as one will always be remembered. |
| people donate to prepare for an event like this. After | | | | My only regret... not letting the wind blow in my hair |
| our practice was over, a sudden urge came over me | | | | more often. |