The Colored Man is one of those people who likes all kinds of different and unusual sporting events. I watched all of the recent Australian Open, and will watch all of the other tennis Grand Slams that come on television. Last week I watched an indoor track and field event. But I really wish that the television folks would show more equestrian events-jumping, dressage, eventing.
The Colored Man has always wanted to learn how to ride a horse, and go on a fox hunt, or jump some fences, or something. For many years I worked with kids who rode horses, some English-style, and others Western-style, and I always seemed to enjoy the English more. I think it was the refinement and the clothes - tweed hunt-jackets and breeches, riding boots, gloves, and the handy riding crop in hand.
Horse-riding can be a dangerous sport, particularly jumping. Remember, a spill while jumping is what landed Christopher Reeves in a wheelchair. Now I am unsure if the horse refused to take the jump, which in horse language, is considered a balk, or whether Mr. Reeves simply lost his control of the horse and his seating and flew off the horse. I am equally unsure why the horse balked at the jump. Could it have been the color of the fencing, or maybe it was the unseen water on the other side of the jump. Maybe Mr. Reeves needed to crack his crop on the horse's rump, and let the horse know that we are fully committed to this jump. There is no turning back. No funny business. Whatever the reason, Superman never rode a horse again.
Many of us are like show-horses. We've been primped and primed for performance, but when it comes time to jump the fence, we balk. We balk at anything that takes us out of our comfort zones, that asks us to jump to an unknown landing. Show-jumping is alot like life. There are patterns that must be maintained, things must be completed in a timely manner, you have to listen and take directions, sometimes you have to lead, but most of all you have to be fearless.
Just like horses, some of us need to be in a constant state of tranquilization, as we feel it makes us perform better. You also have the Olympic-level show-horse that feels it's important to always be seen and heard. Least we forget that there is the horse that refuses to go into a traveling trailer; this is the horse that refuses to travel to other pastures and taste a different grass, sugar cube or carrot.
Horses are considered smart animals, just like us. But, occasionally you have the one-trick pony. The one-trick pony is like some of us who refuse to read, watch anything educational on television, is adverse to the arts, music, culture or anything that will bring knowledge to us, and give us inspiration to jump the fence. Some of us are afraid of being the only show-horse in a pasture of nags, therefore, we don't do things in life because we are afraid of being lonely, and standing out in the crowd.
The bronco-type horse is the horse that is constantly fighting and complaining, hating life, and never, ever happy. Another type of horse is the selfish horse, who balks at sharing their gifts with others-If you ain't beggin', they ain't givin'. One final horse is the my-shit-don't-stink horse - this is the horse who thinks that they are God's gift to mankind, womankind and the horse world.
The Colored Man recognizes himself in several of these show-horses, but one thing that I can tell you is that I don't balk when it comes to a jump. I am all about standing out in a crowd, being the only one in the group, jumping into unknown pastures and tasting life. I approach the obstacle and do my best to sail through and land upright. There have been times that I have jumped and had to stop in mid-air, and times that I have jumped and then wished that I hadn't.
Be warned!!! The Colored Man is ready for the show ring. I am ready for a good dressage competition - LIFE!!!, and I don't need to be whacked with the riding crop to get going. Are you ready?
Tally-Ho!!!!
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