Prewrites


 * ﻿Pre-write #1 **
 * Nikko **

I remember my very first horseback riding lesson, the feeling of nervousness and excitement intertwined. I have always been in fascinated by horses- being around them, next to them, wanting to be one of them. It only seems natural for me to ride them. I remember being in an arena, clambering up on the giant palomino, I plopped myself into the saddle and peered down at what seemed to be an endless distance from the ground. As far as I was concerned this should be a piece of cake, and boy was I wrong. Horseback riding is very much like dancing, two partners synchronized, thinking and feeling each other’s slightest movements. Once you understand each other you can do anything. Now, years after my very first lesson, I pull into the stable driveway, smelling a faint scent of hay and horses, my favorite. Driving down the bumpy dirt path to the parking lot, I hear the “whoosh” of the wind passing my car window. Once again a feeling of anxiety and exhilaration washes over me. I make my way to the barn where Nikko lives, hearing the “clip clop” of passing horse hooves. Compared to the previous horse I rode Nikko is a Ferrari, a tornado, a speeding bullet. Nothing I was used to, not that that could ever stop me. In the many lessons, successes and failures since my beginning ride, I have learned one thing: never give up, because eventually everything falls into place. Walking to Nikko’s round pen I notice his pink polka-dotted blanket, the way his thick mane cascades down his slightly arched neck. His eyes have a sense of awareness, yet are still soft and caring. Right then I decided I was going to ride this horse, no matter what happened; despite my mother’s concerns. Tacking him up my instructor, Kelly, shows me the star clipped onto his jet black flank, “Because he’s a star” she tells me happily.

Walking to the arena I mounted up, I feel my new riding boots slip into the stirrups. Starting off at a walk I gaze ahead of my path, thinking, “This is good, I can do this”. Nikko’s gait is very forward and energetic, as if gladly walking onward for a treat. Suddenly all fear vanishes from me, I’m confident and ready to move forward. Moving to a trot my confidence builds, I feel like I’m flying around the arena, caught in the moment of life. On this horse I learn. This is not about simply riding but learning how to communicate with this animal, an animal very different than myself. Not by talking but merely with my thoughts and actions. I dismount and walk into the wind tasting the frigid air on my lips.

Horseback riding in the arena has a lot to do with understanding, and understanding has a lot to do with learning. I am an eager student, ready to ride, and ready to learn. Being in that arena helps me to learn about myself and understand better. I remember the feeling of achievement that day, driving home, now only excitement remains.


 * Prewrite #2 **
 * Someplace New **

Tolland Falls riding arena: the unmistakable clip clop of pounding horse hooves, wooden jump standards standing solitary, a lonesome barn cat’s meows resonate through the barn aisles. The history of the Tolland Falls riding arena goes like this: In 2003, what is presently Tolland Falls Stables was purchased by, Susan Tinder. Having shown quarter horses in her younger riding years Susan has a substantial amount of horse experience. Later in her life though, she finds herself in a twenty-five year long career in accounting and finance. From Columbus, Ohio, Susan withdraws from a profession of numbers and statistics, migrating to Sedalia, Colorado to relinquish a life with horses. Little did she realize Tolland Falls would flourish into a beautiful facility, being home to various well fed horses, and one extroverted ginger cat. Slightly slouching on my horse Toby, the setting sun shining into my squinted eyes, I listen earnestly to my instructor’s “plan” for the impending month, after my lease expires on Toby.

“I think you’re really going to like Opus,” my instructor Kelly excitedly tells me of her horse, as she promptly rises from the fence post to adjust Toby's lopsided bridle. “He’s really different than Toby though, but it will be fun!” Toby, yanking his head from her grasp, gazes into the faded brown trees with curiosity, ears pricked up, like an animal sensing danger. The wind picks up, blowing my hair in a mess around my face, now only a sliver of light is visible behind the silhouetted trees. Time to go.

“Good!” I half- shout into the wind as Toby nudges the creaking gate open to leave. “Different is good, I’m ready for something new.” Un-tacking Toby I absentmindedly slide the black leathery saddle off Toby’s sweaty withers, envisioning how much was going to change. No more hiking out to his pen, watching in revelation as he willingly plods his way over from the neighboring field to be tacked up. No more screeching open the splintered hunter green barn door, to hear the faint whisper of a whinny from the horses in their stalls. It will be different, but who says that’s bad? “Of course,” I reason with myself “I will miss all the quirky little characteristics about Toby, but now I have new qualities to experience.” Slipping out of the stall door, I feel a hint of reluctance which is overcome by anticipation, as I make my way out of the muddy paddock, looking up at the now overcast sky.

Tolland Falls Ventures Stables. That was where I would next be riding. Having heard all sorts of stories about it, I was eager to see what it actually looked like. After driving home I hastily pulled off my boots, placing them next to a pair of worn old tennis shoes and dashed up the stairs to my computer. A light rain tapped against my window like little fingers drumming on the glass as I Googled Tolland Falls, in search for pictures. When my sluggish browser finally retrieved the site I immediately clicked on the “Photos” tab. Instantly photographs popped up alongside the neatly defined black and purple background. I was surprised to see how vast the facility was. Pine trees looking like quaint Christmas trees outlined a pathway coursing its way around the arena. Closing out of the website, a slight grin swept over my face as I looked out of my window into the darkening sky. Now I’m ready to move forward. I am an eager student, ready to ride, and ready to learn.


 * Prewrite #3 **
 * Live and Learn **

In the riding arena by myself, horses are the heart of it all. The simple way they capture your heart with one movement or expression excites me. The graceful movements, even gaits, and individual dispositions are fascinating. Amazing! Horses in a way are like teachers. Many people say that you learn from your mistakes; this is especially true with riding. I once went through a really difficult time in my riding expirience, but all of my failures have taught me //not// what to do, therefore allowing me to figure out what //to// do. In the words of the Beatles, “With every mistake we must surely be learning.” The horses in my life allow me to mature and attain my goals, in all components of my life.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have grown up around horses my whole life, my stable, even the riding arena within was like home to me. Occasionally me and a friend would make up silly games on our horses. Going on “adventures”, surveying the grounds, or creating intricate races was among entertaining pastimes. I was never lonesome, always being surrounded by horses or barn mates, my love of horses and riding expanded.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My memories as a child indisputably incorporated some form of a horse. It was an annual tradition to go to the stock show. My family would hop in our little car, and drive all the way downtown just for the special event. I hated watching the bucking broncos though, always cheering quietly when the rider would get thrown off by the horse. I was fascinated with the jumping, oohing and ahhing as a horse and rider would fly over an high wall or difficult combination.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Back at the stable, each rider would get a different horse to ride each week. I remember strolling into the barn curiously gazing at the white board with fervor. All my instructors were so supportive in trying to help me acheive my objective. After the lesson I would take notice at the various rider and horse combinations, pondering at what the rider might be thinking, "what is the horse thinking?" I study their movements, comparing it to my exercises, always keen to discover something new.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The riding arena means so much more than just a place to ride in. The arena symbolizes experience, happiness and triumph. All of the failures helped me to more clearly perceive my goal, in every aspect of my life. Riding helped me through tough times in school, or my personal situations. Some riders ride just to ride, but I ride to discover, to cope, to achieve.