Speed Racer

Posted at September 17, 2009 // Farm Life

One Way Ticket...because she's never coming back

Meet One Way Ticket, or as we call her, Jet. Jet came to live with us several years ago as my little sister’s new horse. We found her through a friend and she had been living as a children’s hunter pony. The young girl who owned her had named her GEM (which were actually the child’s initials) – we definitely didn’t keep the name. So with a little letter rearranging she became Jet – which fits her PERFECTLY. Infact, we were really surprised the child didn’t sell her sooner, because she was an awful hunter pony. Not that she didn’t try, but Jet was just destined to be something else. That something else had to involve racing, because Jet only knows one speed and its warp speed. This Morgan cross was a New Holland rescue at the age of 3 (New Holland is a local PA horse auction where most damaged and unwanted horses go – many end up in bad homes or worse bought by the meat packers) and I’m convinced she’s got to be part Thoroughbred.

jet Jet not only gallops fast, but she speed walks everywhere she goes. Speed walks to the pasture, speed walks while she grazes. Jet would probably scare most people because of her need to speed, but not my sister. My sister, Laurel, and Jet are perfectly matched. Laurel is a bit of a daredevil (I guess you have to be to play mounted games) and she enjoys Jet’s constant power walk through life. I consider Laurel a rogue rider, partially because while growing up she refused any formal horseback training. True we both went through the levels of the United States Pony Club, but Laurel hated everything that wasn’t fast and forget about getting her to take a riding lesson. Me on the other hand, I studied under numerous trainers, progressed my way through the Dressage levels and enjoyed learning what I could from everyone. There isn’t anything wrong with Laurel’s riding preferences but sometimes I wondered if we were really related.

jet See technically speaking, Laurel is one of the worst riders. She doesn’t know how to use her leg when riding, she barely uses her seat and relies mostly on hand aids. But somehow this works for Jet, Laurel uses gentle rein pressure to steer her, and Jet is extremely sensitive to the neck reining aids. I’m telling you they are the perfect match. I truly hate riding Jet – rare for me to say about a horse. Jet and I have a love hate relationship. Jet hates me because I have long lanky legs (as opposed to my sister’s short legs) and I like to wrap them around her fat body. I also like to steer with my seat and my legs as opposed to my hands. Jet HATES this.

Jet and Laurel

I went through a period of time where I didn’t have a horse to ride. Minnow had just been diagnosed with ringbone and pronounced unrideable. So on occasion I had taken to riding Jet. I ended up taking her to a local mounted games clinic despite the fact that we really weren’t a good match…I mostly just wanted to ride. Long story short, Jet crashed me into another rider and horse as we flew in to a handoff. She was not too happy with me because I was apparently using too much seat and leg with her (I mean really what horse wants you to pull on their face…I really don’t get it) so she opted to ignore my aids and POWER through the horse infront of me. Really we just brushed the other horse – everyone was fine…except for me. I somehow took a stirrup to my shin (at top speed of course) and to this day I have complete nerve damage from my knee to mid-shin. Its an inconvenience if I ever I cut myself there because I have no idea I’m bleeding since I can’t feel it.

Plus Size Model

But despite all this, there is one thing I enjoy about Jet. Jet is very photogenic. Being an avid photographer (I did go to school for photography afterall) I enjoy taking photos of my favorite subjects, horses. So over the years I have collected quite a few of Jet. She always seems to want to show off her fierceness for the camera. Recently some of these photos have caught the attention of a UK based children’s book company. So now Jet is set to be published in an upcoming horse sticker and activity book as well as a foldout book for children. Even though I took these photos, I have to say I’m a little jealous…I’d obviously like to see the the Trick Ponies published in the book. And I find it quite funny that Jet has been chosen, because from the side she looks like a beautiful pony mare, but from the front she looks like a fat cow. No joke. We actually had Jet tested because she was SOOO fat we thought somehow maybe she got knocked up or had a tape worm or something! I’ve taken to calling her Plus-size model. 🙂

So as soon as I get a copy of Jet’s book I will be sure to share it.

-KD

www.ponypaintings.com