My new horse interest!
My husband and I no longer own horses, but we enjoy horseracing. I was watching the post parade at Fairmount Park one Tuesday in early July—when number two in the third race totally captured my attention. “Look at that beautiful mare!” I yelled. I hardly noticed the rest.
The program gave her name as Ruler Runaway, a dark gray six-year-old mare with flowing tail tipped in white. Suddenly, I was in love.
My husband and I had once considered buying a racehorse, but we wisely decided it was not the best option for us. We had enjoyed trail riding our own horses, and we knew what ownership involved. Years ago, I would have wanted this gray mare, and Russ would have bought her. But not now.
My Love of Horses Renewed
My passion of ownership is the relationship of horse and rider. I lost that pleasure back in 2015, selling my Lady after a series of injuries that made it difficult to take care of a horse. I left that world, and I’m too old to return—but I still feel disappointed.
Ruler Runaway has given me new life.
I’ve asked myself, “why am I so attracted to this mare?” Russ teases me about buying her, but I can’t take care of a horse anymore and I hesitate to even think about riding. Perhaps she has touched something within me that was needing to come alive again. After selling Lady, my black Tennessee Walking horse, I felt as though my life was over. I felt old and weak. I was always tired. Maybe it was a form of depression.
After seeing Ruler Runaway, my love of horses has been reawakened. Even without owning her, I feel a connection. Just being a watcher, cheering her on, I am enjoying a vicarious relationship with a horse! Did God work this out for a purpose? If so, where is this path leading?
Zenyatta and Ruler Runaway
The gray mare came in second that first day I saw her. I couldn’t attend her next two races, but I watched the online replays. She won both, and I ran to tell Russ the exciting news. Her last two races have been less triumphant. I feel sad, but I’m still a fan. I hope to visit her stall and learn more about her personality. I care about Ruler Runaway for what and who she is, as I once cared about Zenyatta. I’ve always loved mares.
Does anyone remember that Zenyatta was entered in one more race before retiring? After 19 straight wins, perhaps her owners should have quit while she was ahead. One more race—and she lost it. I watched it on TV; then I wrote an article about Zenyatta’s last race that was shared on a couple online sites (I’ll add it to this website soon).
We all need connections that make us feel alive. We need hope to help us along. At my age, those little things are big encouragements!
