Two heartwarming rides to remember

Columnist Sadie Fowler rides Watch for Glory at Jill and Herbert Derickson's barn Saturday. (Submitted photo by Jackie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

I grew up riding performance horses -- Morgans and Saddlebreds -- in the Northeast and fondly remember showing horses. Horses are what brought me to the walking horse capital of the world, from New York, almost seven years ago.

After college, I moved down here to work for the Saddle Horse Report, the sister paper of the leading walking horse industry publication, the Walking Horse Report.

In the column, I wrote about how much I missed horses, and how every year around Celebration time I re-commit myself to getting back in the saddle. Literally.

After the column ran in the paper, I received a handful of calls and e-mails from local walking horse enthusiasts, offering me a chance to ride a walking horse, and for those calls, I am extremely appreciative.

Wayne Schumann, the administrator of Bedford County Nursing Home, contacted me about the column, and went one step further by actually arranging for me to ride a performance walking horse.

I was ecstatic when Wayne and his kind wife, Iris, asked me to meet them at Robby Black Stables on U.S. 231 last week. I really hoped that I would get to ride a padded horse, and hoped that Wayne had passed the word on to Robby that I had indeed ridden show horses before. In other words, I didn't want to be led around like a lead line rider on a 25-year-old horse with no personality.

When I arrived there I suddenly felt a wave of nerves come over me. It had been about four years since I had ridden anything; and several more years than that since I had shown. What if I had forgotten how to ride?

Robby Black, trainer, and Virginia Stewart, farm owner, were so very gracious, and it was a pleasure to meet them. Robby had Virginia's pretty horse, Gen's Little Major, ready when I arrived and as I watched him warm up the horse, I knew I was in for a real treat.

Robby parked in the middle of the aisleway after making a couple passes to warm up the horse, and asked me if I was ready.

"Do you need a stool to get up?" he asked. I hated that I had to say "yes, I'd better use one," but hey, you never know ... I'm not a skinny 15-year-old girl anymore.

He gave me a quick rundown on what cues I needed to give the horse, told me to resist my urge to post -- something that is done during the trot gait on many breeds, but never a walking horse -- and sent me on my way.

Like the old saying, it really was like riding a bike, and the smooth cruise was nothing short of amazing. I instantly felt like I was a little girl again and could not resist smiling the whole ride.

I later told my friend Stephanie about the whole experience and she said, "It made you feel good inside, didn't it?" Yes, Stephanie, it did.

I felt so pleased with the ride and the only bad part about it was that, as I was driving home, I thought, now I'm addicted. "I have to get a walking horse of my own" was the thought that would not leave my mind.

I have always wondered if walking horses would be as exciting as Morgans and Saddlebreds. After riding at Robby's, I now can put that thought to rest.

A couple weeks ago, around the same time Wayne had called me about riding at Robby's, Jill and Herbert Derickson extended an invite for me to ride at their place. I accepted this invitation, as well, and went out to their barn Saturday.

The scent of a horse barn is like the scent of roses to me and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the Dericksons' barn, visiting with their horses, as I waited to see who I'd be riding on my second walking horse ride.

All the stars last week must have been lined up in my favor because, once again, I got to ride a great, padded, walking horse. Herbert and Jill brought out a grand sorrel mare and I quickly learned this was no ordinary walking horse.

"You should feel very grateful," said Jill, with a laugh. "Her shoes would have come off two weeks ago, after the Celebration, but we kept them on ... they'll be taken off after this."

"Yes M'am, you have my attention now," I thought to myself. I felt like they saved the horse just for me.

So, who was this gorgeous horse? It was Watch For Glory, the mare who won the 15.2 and under mares class at this year's Celebration.

I felt truly honored, to say the least. The ride was sweet, just as my ride at Robby's was, but what also was interesting about my visit to the Dericksons' was the conversation I had with the couple -- who happen to be excellent ambassadors for the breed -- prior to my ride.

Herbert took the time to explain the shoeing process of a walking horse; he also explained the inspection process and how in depth and detailed the USDA is to ensure horses are clean and sound. As a non-walking-horse horse person, I have to admit, I'd always wondered ... Are they really sound?

Herbert lifted up the horse's foot and what I saw, honestly, shocked me. The horse's pastern area -- where officials look for scars and any indication of soring -- was as clean if not cleaner than any non-walking horse I have ever seen.

All of the horses I saw last week were clearly taken care of exceptionally. It's so unfortunate for the breed that because of history -- and a couple of bad apples -- an unfair reputation is associated with the industry.

I truly hope that with time, a continued presentation of clean horses, and a little effort toward working with and educating the general public, this breed's future will shine for many years to come.

My two rides last week certainly educated me a little more about the breed, provided me with a new appreciation for the trainers, and, at the same time, warmed me up inside.

There's nothing better than feeling like a kid again ... and I sincerely thank those who made that happen.

-- Sadie Fowler is a staff writer for the Times-Gazette. She can be reached at (931) 684-1200, ext. 214, or by e-mail at sfowler@t-g.com. This column is scheduled to print every Thursday.