Behind The Scenes

I am not ashamed to admit that I am an arena girl. Give me some nice weather and an arena with good ground, and I will ride to my heart’s content. However, stepping outside those fences with my horse “Willy” is quite another thing. During the times we do venture out into the great unknown, gigantic rabbits, Grand Canyon-sized holes and spooky pieces of paper just seem to make a beeline toward our path with interesting results.

Perhaps that’s why the idea of trekking across the country on a Paint Horse is so heroic to me. In this issue of the Paint Horse Journal on page 106, Tom Moates details the longest horseback trip ever made, with a Paint Horse named Pinto leading the group of four men and their horses. The men were seeking fame, but their accomplishment in 1915 ironically slid into oblivion, until now. I was fascinated by the story.

Just reading about how the group spent more than three years and 20,000 miles in their saddles makes me sore! But how amazing it would be to see that much of our country in an up close and personal way? What a tribute to the spirit of Paint owners and the endurance of our fine breed.

By the time this issue hits your mailbox, APHA will be preparing for our annual fundraiser, the Saddle Up! For St. Jude ride, on May 3 near Fort Worth, Texas. I hope to bring out ol’ Willy and tackle the 10-mile trail ride with many other APHA members and staff. Fortunately for us, it’s not a trans-continental trip. I think we’ll have a great time, and hopefully Willy and I can dodge those scary giant bunnies.

Enjoy your horse,

Abigail Wilder
Staff writer/Photographer