Sonny and I entered our first TCHA show and competed in Western Adult Walk/Trot ages 29 and up. I was the oldest competing in this division...and so was my horse. We entered 4 events and took the Third place ribbon in each. Not bad for a couple of 'old timers'.
However, our show year has been cut short. On May 13th, 1998, while on our way to a 4H ride meet, our truck and horse trailer entered a highway median ravine backwards, rolling a couple of times with both coming to rest on their sides. The girls and their horses (Sonny was not with us that day) suffered minor injuries and a lot of very nice people helped at the accident scene. All of them have my heartfelt thanks. My husband came from work and after hearing we were at the ER and would be fine, stayed at the scene to help rescue the horses.
Unfortunately, my injuries were a little more serious. I had internal bleeding, lots of bumps and bruises and a fractured left arm and spine. Recovery is slow but progressing. The doctors say I cannot ride for at least a year. But I have set a goal that I will enter at least one more showmanship event before the season ends. In this event, you are leading your horse through maneuvers for inspection by the judge.
As you can see by the pictures below...we were all very lucky to have been able to walk away from the accident.