When I was a kid some of my favorite books of all time were about Horses. I loved reading Misty and Black Beauty. There was something so exciting about these wonderful, majestic animals.
I had a bunch of girl friends who had toy horses for their Barbies to ride on – this just wasn’t the same for me though and I never really did get into playing with the little plastic horses.
So, the day came that I finally got to ride a horse. It was SOOO exciting. I have not fact checked this memory with anyone in my family and so the day could have gone completely different but this is how I remember it. The day was perfect for riding horses. It was slightly overcast and cool and you could feel the moisture in the air like it could rain at any minute but probably wouldn’t.
We went to a proper horse farm with the barn and riding trails and certified trainers. There was a group of us and we were instructed in the ways of safety when dealing with horses. It was thrilling and the anticipation was almost too much. The horses were beautiful. But they had this look on their faces like “oh brother…. here we go again….” But what do I know about horses.
Finally, all of the instruction was over and we were allowed to mount our faithful steeds. Then, at the very very very slow pace that you see Clint Eastwood mosey off into the sunset at the end of one of his cowboy flicks, we set off one after another all tied together out onto the riding (or rather walking) trail.
Ok this was still exciting. I was on a horse.
About 10 minutes into this walk I realized that I really wasn’t into horses all that much after all. This bunch was sort of stinky and they were really really big. At the time I couldn’t really see past all the time it would take to really learn about horses and walks like this before you got to run, canter, gallop or whatever else you might do on a horse to make it a little more exciting. I just wasn’t that interested in devoting the time.
It was then that I knew my lifes passion would be driving. Driving cars. And it has been that way ever since. I adore driving. Long distance – fast – slow – anywhere. I just love driving and I love cars.
But that didn’t kill my enthusiasm for books about horses and movies about horses. Which didn’t make alot of sense to me at the time.
Just because I am not that into horses myself doesn’t mean I don’t love a good book or a good movie about horses. The Man from Snowy River has got to be one of the best movies of all time. I love watching horse races, horse shows, and the seeing the big hats that go along with the Kentucky Derby.
I watched the opening of the Meydan Horse Track in Dubai on TV recently and it was spectacular. I love paintings of horses and photographs of horses. I would just rather smell the fumes of a Ford Mustang over the horse it was named after any day.
It’s not about the horse itself for me, even though I still think they are beautiful animals, it is more about the power and the passion in the stories. The people in the stories commit themselves with great passion to what they are doing. There is great character in working with these animals that have great passion themselves. Horses can be firey and unpredictable. And when they run they are beautiful. Their manes flow in the wind and their powerful muscles seem to shimmer. It is all quite romantic.
And then of course there are the wonderfully, large and ornate and very silly hats.
All of my reminiscing about horses came about today because I received a link to the new trailer for a movie coming up this fall for another great horse story. Secretariat. It is a Disney movie and so it is sure to be quality but it is also a Mike Rich story so it is sure to be a wonderfully crafted story. What a great combo.
And for the icing on the cake (for me) John Malkovich is one of the stars and the movie itself features a very strong female role played by Diane Lane.
This is going to be a movie I will want to see on the big screen and then own.