The Competition

I did get to keep Calypso. He made huge progress the 4 days we were at the competition. Two weeks before the competition, Manuel Trigo helped me do my first ride in the saddle. He gave me and Calypso a boost of confidence and we were on our way. Calypso quit bolting because I was able to give him the feel of my confidence in the saddle. Even though, the pain of a broken pelvis from two years ago was still fresh in my mind. I really believe that we gained confidence together. Noises still frightened him and quick movement behind him still startled him, but he stayed with me. No more panels to fix or fences to mend.

He did flip out in the trailer the day we arrived at CSU to check in. He reared up and went down under the divider and somehow, got up and did it again. He got some cuts and bruises on his face and hip bones, Calypso and I were both crying and upset but we survived it with no broken bones. What a way to start a competition, huh?

Actually, we were not ready for any competition but the journey was a great one. Several Trainers commented on the huge progress we made during our 4 days. Calypso actually seemed to enjoy the whooping and hollering and commotion of the competition. There were cowboys charging towards us and guns a shooting. We had a few really nice spins, not choreographed, and a couple of bucking sprees, but I did not feel the fear and I rode it. Now, That is Progress! I did not feel my 58 years, I felt like a kid again! What a ride!

When it was time for the auction, we had to tell all of the great things about our horse so people would want to buy them. When they handed me the microphone, I started to say how much I loved Calypso and enjoyed the journey, but instead just broke down crying as I rode him. Of course, many others cried with me. My husband stood up and announced that I was his wife and he was buying this horse for me. Everyone applauded and I rode my horse out of the arena to the many hugs of my friends and Trainers.