Catastrophic health events aren't predictable; they can happen to anyone at any time. For those of us who enjoy trail riding, a sudden health change can mean retirement from riding. Some horsemen refuse to accept this fate and find their way back into the saddle.
Recently, I met someone who overcame major health issues, partly through a newfound passion for trail riding. His story gave me a new perspective on overcoming
adversity.
A Chilly Weekend
I met Allen and his wife, Heather, last October at the New York State Horse Council's 41st Fall Pleasure Ride. The ride is held annually on the second weekend in October, during peak fall foliage, at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Brookfield. It's located in the beautiful hills in central New York.
I was asked to be the guest speaker at this ride. I'd never attended this event or even ridden on the Brookfield trail system, but my wife, Vanessa, had.
The trail system adjoins the county fairgrounds and is the venue for the prestigious New York 100, a grueling, three-day, 100-mile annual competitive trail competition. During the late 1980s, Vanessa religiously competed in this July event. She recalled her Brookfield adventures on the way to the fairgrounds this year.
We arrived on Friday morning and were assigned a camping space with full hookups. Our steeds, BeBop and Khan, were given stall space in one of the site's three barns.
When the horses were settled and fed, we set up our camp. It was cold, foggy, and raining. The forecast was no better: Periods of rain during the day and subfreezing temperatures at night were predicted all weekend. It didn't deter attendance; 86 riders registered.
Intrepid Riders
Heather and Allen were camped next to us. They recognized us from The Trail Rider and introduced themselves. Heather reminded me that we'd exchanged e-mails last summer and thanked me for promptly answering. Despite the cold, dank weather, they were saddling up their horses.
As we shuffled around our trailer in the cold, we saw that there was something a bit different about Allen. His walk was uneven, occasionally even unsteady.
We made a cup of tea and sat in our trailer until we got warm. When I emerged a bit later, Heather and Allen were just returning to camp. Their horses, Dunrover coats, and helmets were wet; their glasses misted over.
"We would've ridden longer, but the mist fogged our glasses, and we couldn't see the trail," Heather said with a smile.
Allen agreed. "Too foggy," he added matter-of-factly, as he dismounted his Tennessee Walking Horse.
'What If?'
At dinner that night, I listened in astonishment as Allen told us about his health issues. A few years ago, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After it was removed, he suffered a heart attack and then a stroke.
His health problems forced him to sell his business, leaving them struggling to make it. Any one of these health catastrophes could have killed this man, but somehow he survived. I thought, And he's trail riding.
Then I wondered, What would I do if life threw that knuckleball at me?
Over dessert, I asked Allen if he'd be willing to share more about his situation and how he got involved with horses. He talked a bit, then said that it was a "long story."
After dinner, Heather told me that she was a retired teacher, and that she and Allen had been together for many years. She added that horses had always been a part of her life, but that Allen, when he'd been a busy business owner, hadn't been that fond of horses. They rode together only
occasionally.
That all changed with Allen's sudden, forced retirement.
Finding a Purpose
As Allen's mobility and health improved, he spent more time with the horses. Soon, he found a purpose in life through trail riding. It took some time and bumps, but after finding a compatible horse, his life became more active.
Achieving his trail-riding goals gave Allen a sense of accomplishment. He reconnected with his wife in a new way, rejuvenating their relationship. The couple bought a nice fifth-wheel trailer from a dealer at a recession sale, and they became a couple that traveled with horses. The rest is history.
This amazing couple had shown courage in the face of disaster, and emerged on the other side of darkness with a love for horses and trail riding as a common bond. I know it wasn't easy for them; it wouldn't be easy for anyone dealt these cards in life.
'Failure is Impossible'
On Sunday night, during my talk before the gathering, I shared my story of how Vanessa and I met. We found love while dealing with the tragic, humorous, and complicated world of horses.
I couldn't help but glance now and then at Heather and Allen, sitting at their table, surrounded by friends. I wondered if I had it in me to face life's real challenges.
During our ride back home, I reflected on the weekend, sharing my "what if?" fears with Vanessa. She reassured me that we'll always have horses and, with love, failure is impossible.
To learn more about Ben Theyre's horse life, visit www.bentheyre.com. To visit Ben Theyre's Facebook page, enter username Bentheyre. Reach him at bentheyre@juno.com. He enjoys reading your horse stories.
