Page 21 - SophiesPonyTalesJuly10C

CHAPTER 9 ANOTHER FAILURE

The fourth time of being hitched, Glenda was An experienced driver may have been able
in the box. The box is the term that is used for the to redirect me and gain control, but my driver also
driver’s seat. We were in a riding ring, which was panicked. I headed for the far side of the ring away
enclosed by a 4 ft. high wood rail fence. Earlier that from the pounding hooves at a full gallop. My
hooves missed the pyramid shaped pile of poles,
day the ring had been used for fence jumping train-
but the outside wheel of the cart didn’t miss the
ing. The jump poles had been placed in the center
pile. The wheel went up the incline as though it was
of the ring. The standards were in one group and
a ramp. Feeling pressure of a rein pulling to the left,
the poles were stacked in a separate triangular pile
I went left at the worst possible time.
about eighteen inches high at the top of the trian-
When the cart wheel went over the poles
gle. We entered the ring and the gate was closed.
the cart bounced up on one side, so that combined
While being headed, the driver stepped into the
with turning to the left, the cart tilted further on
carriage. Being headed is when a person stands di-
one wheel and over it rolled. Since I was running at
rectly in front you to stop you from going forward a full gallop fleeing to get away from an unknown
or move in any direction. danger, this very thing happened in an instant.

After Glenda was in the box and had taken Glenda was thrown out of the cart and fortunately
up the lines, we started along the outside rail to- landed beyond where the carriage rolled over. She
was wearing a helmet and was not injured. I stayed
ward the opposite end of the arena. Three other
on my feet and came to a skidding stop. The har-
horses were in the pasture outside of the ring. As I
ness was twisted around me.
was starting to move along the rail, they came gal-
The cart was upside down causing the shafts
loping up behind. Horses are naturally curious and
to reverse sides. Somehow I had managed to step
they wanted to check out what was going on in the
over the shaft as it rolled over my back and against
ring. Although they were on the other side of the
my legs. People rushed to unhitch me. Panic and
fence because of the blinkers I couldn’t tell that so I
fear seemed to have put an end to my future.
fled. Many trainers recommend starting a horse or Someone said, “That is the end of her driving ca-
pony driving with an open bridle, that is a bridle reer. She will probably never be trustworthy to be

without blinkers. Not having blinkers on enables us hitched again.”
to see what is behind because what is imagined be-
hind may be more fearful that what is really be-
hind. In this instance fear took over. All I wanted to
do was get away from those horses coming up be-

hind me, as fast and far as possible.

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