ACTHA Monthly |August 2015 | 21
Rider Feature (continued)
From that day on, I fell in love with ACTHA rides and even made great ACTHA friends like Kiley Merritt. Most people would comment on how great Spud and I were together. They would think it was cute that such a small girl was riding a big horse. I think that is one of the reasons I usually get a judges pick award, though we do not always place. Spud and I competed in 7 ACTHA rides. Whether or not we won, I always had a great time and Spud and I loved being together and out on the trail.
Spud developed an eye infection last fall. We tried everything we could to make him better but nothing was working. We sent him to Auburn so that he could get specialized care for his eye. While he was in Auburn, I went with Calvin Center to volunteer at the Special Olympics Summer Games. The last day there, we got a call from the doctors that he had taken a turn for the worse and started to colic. Before we could get to him, he had passed away. I was devastated. I had a lot of support from my family and friends and even from all my ACTHA friends who had seen us ride. But I hurt really badly and missed my Spud!
I am definitely a horse person and knew I would continue to ride, but was scared I would never find the connection I had with Spud. One day, a while after Spud was gone, I prayed to him and to God and asked them to please send me new horse to love. Two days later, while I was volunteering, Meghan (a friend of Gretchen), was dropping off her horses to live with our herd. Meghan knew that the Calvin Center Equestrian Program was a great place for horses, but she was going to miss them. She asked me to come meet them. Bert, a thoroughbred that would be moving to Virginia with her in a few months, and Raider, an American Paint horse that would be staying in our program. Raider and I hit it right off. I am certain that Spud sent Raider to me so I would have a special horse to love. Raider and I had an instant connection. While I still miss Spud every day, it is great to know I have Raider and Spud is cheering us on.
Raider is different than Spud in both personality and in the saddle. In some ways, I think Raider needs me as much as I need him. He loves to be with me. I can whistle and he will come to me and when I stand at his shoulder he gives me a hug. He
Raider is different than Spud in both personality and in the saddle. In some ways, I think Raider needs me as much as I need him.
Photo by Christine O'Conner