Here is what some members are saying about our organization... The following was forwarded to me from fellow member Karen Cardwell and I felt it describes so well how we as women feel when we ride it needed to be posted here for everyone to enjoy!
~I Ride~
That seems like such a simple statement. However,as many women who ride know, it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power and empowerment. Being able to do things you might once have considered out of reach or ability.
I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet, farrier, electrician, hay delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer on the side of the freeway, or cool out a gelding a before getting down to the business of drinking a cold drink after a long ride.
The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it "the sickness". It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of "the sickness." It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do and, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.
I ride.
I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog, and I ride. I breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the moment of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ballcap down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust. Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and the movement of the leaves becomes my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather reins in my hand softens with warmth.
I consider the simple statement;
I ride.
I think of all I do because I ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend through the manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real accomplishment. Still I ride. No matter how tired or how much my seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt.
I ride.
I feel better for doing so. The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to find lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The Granite Stairway at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on the prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart. I think of people, mostly women I've met. I consider how competent they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch. We haul 40 ft. rigs. We back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp. Tend the horses.We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait, and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel without makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford "the sickness" and probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real one. Now you are there.
I ride.
Author Unknown--(although, many of us feel she is our sister )
" A friend forwarded me your website...how cool, we're thinking we might need to get a chapter started here in Texas! " Tracey, Fort Worth TX
"Great site. I am a riding instructor in Burlington Ky. I have started a riding club. Members can choose from a group of horses to ride like selecting a treadmill at the athletic club. The membership will include a lesson per week and we will accomodate beginners thru advanced horses...For more info littlebritainfarm@fuse.net " Stephanie, Burlington KY
"Hi, I happened to see your great website when reading about the Mammouth Cave Situation. We are a group of girls like you. We are called the Buffalo Girls of Northern Kentucky. You can read about us on the following website www.trailforthecure.org/AboutbuffaloGirls.aspx Diana, Cold Spring KY
"Great day! Thank you ALL. You sure know how to put on a ride and party. We sure appreciate you and what you do. Thanks again. Blessings" T & C, Allensville KY
"Hi, I'm a new Member and today September 20, 2008 was my first time hanging and riding with everybody, I just wanted to say me and my Husband had a real good time. Loved the trails at Pennyrile Park. Thanks for a good time." Gaby, Hopkinsville KY
"I was on the trail ride Saturday at the Pennyrile and had a woderful time. If being a member was only buying a shirt I guess I over did it I bought 3 = I live at Crofton, Ky 424-8395. Since I'm new to the area, I am always looking for someone to ride with, I don't have any way to trailer my horse-Rowdy (arab) but do have lots of places to ride right in my own backyard, so if anyone would like to go for a ride just give me a call. Thanks."
Linda, Crofton KY
"I am so glad my sister seen the flier at Penchems! We had a great time! Great food too! Looking forward to the next ride!" Carey, Lamasco/Princeton KY
"What a nice time Eric and I had, and it was a beautiful place to ride." Ginny, Lexington KY
"I really wanted to thank you all for the lovely ride last weekend at Pennyrile. I had a great time and was happy to meet new equine pals." Krysty, Princeton KY
"Had a GREAT time at P Park. Let's do one somewhere every week or two--whenever/wherever Cheryl can lead us, we wil follow--bees and all! No food required. We can bring our own grub. (although Larry is quite the chef) Just tell us where to meet and we'll show up if we can. Just an idea. Happy Trails Y'all Joyful Appreciative Member. Lisa, Hopkinsville KY
"I had a blast!!!! Bee stings and all!! Great food, great company,beautiful day, and all on top my best friend....(yea I mean my horse)....Can't wait for the next ride.... Chrissy, Crofton KY
"Thanks for sharing and I,m glad you guys had a great time!!! Hope to see you back here real soon AND- THANK YOU for helping spread the word about this place!!! Your help is much appreciated!!! See you soon ....bottoms up to happy and all that stuff!!" Beth @ Why Not Ranch
"I had an awesome time on the Nov. 8, ride! all the hills and ups and downs were scarey to me as I hadn't ever done that before..but it was GREAT! I learned so much and people were so nice. I made several new friends and seen some old ones. It was my first time to haul a horse somewhere to ride, loading and unloading the horses, and all the things that come with trail riding. There was someone around each corner to explain something, help you with anything you needed. Thanks so much for a wonderful experience. And it was great to meet you Cheryl..sorry about the whinning..lol..next time I will be ready for hills and vallys!
Christy, White Plains KY
"Thanks for everything you did to make the ride successful." Leigh Anne, Cadiz KY
"I was very happy that we were able to come. Thank you so much. I was so impressed with everything, you all have done a fantastic job setting up a good riding group. You should be proud.
I was also impressed that most of the riders were in my age range!! Very motivating."
Pam, Woodlawn TN
"We had a wonderful time riding with everyone that came out! My daughter and I have been looking for someone to ride with for a while now and we are glad we found you. We are looking forward to the next ride!!! Liz, Hopkinsville KY
"David and I had a wonderful time! Great trail, great friends, great ride. And the food was de-lish!" Lisa, Hopkinsville KY
"Wow just spent 5 days camping and riding every day at LBL Wranglers Camp. Great rides, good times. Gettin' along just fine with 'ol Rocket. Cold at night (20 degrees) but 40-50 degrees by mid-day. Wish you all had been there with us. Happy trails! " Nov. 22, 08
Crystal, Crofton KY
