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Sitting on America for the First Time
Joe turned the colt's head around toward
his own knee, and stepped up into the stirrup onto the saddle. Just like
that, he was aboard.
"Wow," Joe exhaled. The simple act of
sitting the horse gave him goose bumps. America stood still, waiting. He
tossed his head and the bridle jingled, the saddle squeaked. Then ...
nothing.
"Well?" Dennyse asked.
The woman was obviously expecting a show.
Joe looked over at her. "Patience," he called.
Her hands slid to her hips. "So? You
gonna sit there till morning?"
Finally, Joe tugged on the left rein, and
asked the colt to step forward, but America only stood there.
"Looks like he might stand till
breakfast, then you'll have to step off and unsaddle him." She tilted
her head and laughed. "The mighty stallion." Her arms swung outward.
"Very funny. Give him a minute--he's
thinking." Joe repeated the same cue to America, stronger this time. The
colt tossed his head again, leapt forward and they were off!
Around the arena they flew, a race of
one. Dennyse's eyes widened. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, my, God,"
she muttered.
This was fun, but enough was enough and
Joe tightened the reins, then pulled back firmly, and said, "Whoa."
The stallion's reaction was immediate.
America planted this front feet, and stopped dead. The horse had
surprised Joe for a second time and he cut a flip, plopping right in
front of America on his butt, reins in hand.
"You okay? Dennyse shouted.
"Oh, yeah," Joe muttered.
America shook his head and blew, then
proceeded to nibble Joe's hair. Joe reached up and flicked his fingers
on America's nose, then stared up at his horse. "You'd better not be
laughing at me," Joe warned America. He sighed, then stood and brushed
the dust from his jeans. "Thanks, big guy," he said to his horse. "I
needed that."
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