The year was 1971, the place was Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. The equine was Wild Bill Cody, a 4 year old, Buckskin QH. He was a 14.2" pistol, whatever were my parents thinking? He was boarded at the stable on the Army post, so my folks would just drop me off there and I would spend hours and hours out there. What a great life it was. In retrospect, I believe that Cody was a very talented little guy, and I wish I knew what the hell I was doing. I had previously had some english riding lessons before we moved to MO, and that was about it.
What a great place that was to learn about and ride horses. To this day, I have the very best memories of that time. When Dad was transferred, we gave Cody to a retiring Staff Sargeant that was in my Dad's battalion who had bought a place locally.
Dad was transferred back to Virginia. I took some lessons at a couple of barns but eventually faded out of riding by the time I was 16-17, there was just no where to ride anymore that was even remotely close.
Jeeze Louise CCC. Very nice pony!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd interesting background on the where, when, and what.
Dena:
ReplyDeleteHe was a nice pony. I did all kinds of crazy stuff with him, he was very versatile. That stable was a great place to be a kid. Lots of other kids out there to ride and hang with. Our parents used to just drop us off there. There was no adult supervision at all. It was great.