I’ve received a bunch of rather random emails as of late encouraging me about my writing. Some as simple as “please write your book!” I’ve found them to be so thoughtful and much needed. I wonder if people have sensed my discouragement in the universe?!?! While I haven’t lost all hope entirely, I have been wavering from time to time regarding my place in the writing world. Though, even as some of the wonderful emails have said…doesn’t every writer wonder about that?!?!
On another note, I was thinking the other day about one summer (of many!) when I lived in London. Our city used to be home to the London Tigers Minor League baseball team. Back in the day, Canada still supported baseball and even the small teams brought a lot of patriotism and a slight competitive edge to our little urban centers. When the Tigers weren’t playing though, the city used to stadium to host other major events that happen to be going through town.
One day, my Mom took me to the stadium for a show jumping competition. I’d never seen one before and at the time, wasn’t overly interested. I was a Western rider and spent the better part of my young life at a ranch during the summer months. Even during the school year, my Mom would drive me out to the ranch on weekends while I taught groups and spent time with the horses. That one summer day was really my first introduction to equestrian riding of any kind.
Sure enough, I fell in love with show jumping. While I had no desire to pursue it myself, I just loved the intensity and elegance of the sport. I never would have thought that I could be sitting at the edge of my seat in anticipation during such a competition. Low and behold though, my Mom and I spent the entire day at the stadium, hot dogs and pop in hand, one heck of a sunburn was brewing on our foreheads and we watched these incredible animals lunge and jump over obstacles. Better yet, we watched the beautiful harmony between man and beast as they tackled each little challenge and conquered in the end.
At the end of the day, when the two of us were leaving, one of the riders was sitting near the fence with his horse. An absolute horse lover myself, it was only a matter of seconds before I darted over with little regard for any rules or my safety. With little hesitation, the rider let me pet his horse and told me a bit about him and their history together. As we left, he let us take a picture with him and signed an autograph for me. It was a really great encounter that I’ve never forgotten, mostly just because of how kind the rider was to me and how passionate he was about his sport.
As it turns out, that rider was Ian Millar with his trusty horse Big Ben. And now, at the age of 61 and after participating in nine (that’s right…NINE!) Olympic Games, Ian gets to bring home a silver medal for team show jumping. Not only am I excited because this is his first Olympic medal but I’m thrilled because I can’t think of anyone whose kindness (to a complete stranger) could possibly deserve this more.
This has, by far, become my favourite Olympic story of 2008!
Read more about his fantastic win here.
On another note, I was thinking the other day about one summer (of many!) when I lived in London. Our city used to be home to the London Tigers Minor League baseball team. Back in the day, Canada still supported baseball and even the small teams brought a lot of patriotism and a slight competitive edge to our little urban centers. When the Tigers weren’t playing though, the city used to stadium to host other major events that happen to be going through town.
One day, my Mom took me to the stadium for a show jumping competition. I’d never seen one before and at the time, wasn’t overly interested. I was a Western rider and spent the better part of my young life at a ranch during the summer months. Even during the school year, my Mom would drive me out to the ranch on weekends while I taught groups and spent time with the horses. That one summer day was really my first introduction to equestrian riding of any kind.
Sure enough, I fell in love with show jumping. While I had no desire to pursue it myself, I just loved the intensity and elegance of the sport. I never would have thought that I could be sitting at the edge of my seat in anticipation during such a competition. Low and behold though, my Mom and I spent the entire day at the stadium, hot dogs and pop in hand, one heck of a sunburn was brewing on our foreheads and we watched these incredible animals lunge and jump over obstacles. Better yet, we watched the beautiful harmony between man and beast as they tackled each little challenge and conquered in the end.
At the end of the day, when the two of us were leaving, one of the riders was sitting near the fence with his horse. An absolute horse lover myself, it was only a matter of seconds before I darted over with little regard for any rules or my safety. With little hesitation, the rider let me pet his horse and told me a bit about him and their history together. As we left, he let us take a picture with him and signed an autograph for me. It was a really great encounter that I’ve never forgotten, mostly just because of how kind the rider was to me and how passionate he was about his sport.
As it turns out, that rider was Ian Millar with his trusty horse Big Ben. And now, at the age of 61 and after participating in nine (that’s right…NINE!) Olympic Games, Ian gets to bring home a silver medal for team show jumping. Not only am I excited because this is his first Olympic medal but I’m thrilled because I can’t think of anyone whose kindness (to a complete stranger) could possibly deserve this more.
This has, by far, become my favourite Olympic story of 2008!
Read more about his fantastic win here.
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