Parades & Trails in Pink

With my kids getting older I've been feeling the need to socialize with people my own age with my own interests and my husband, the wonderful man he is, feels the same.  I've been wanting to join a group of sorts that is horse related so after discussion and research we joined Goshen Horse Thief Detectives. 

When GHTD was first established, way back in 1892 it was a branch of law enforcement. Today it is a civil group that takes part in community events and is working toward establishing new and maintaining existing horse trails across the area.

Part of the "community" is area parades! Which I've never done - ever.  To be able to participate in parades you, your horse, and your "out walker" have to get certified.  It's not a "how many obstacles can your horse do - it's how you handle your horse in new situations, or when horse is acting up.  As an outwalker you learn how to handle the horse in a manner that allows the rider to safely dismount and take control of their horse in an emergency situation.   I didn't get pictures of our certification as it was getting dark, and was dark by the end, but all three of us are now certified for parades and outwalking.  The quote from the head of the mounted division posted this on Facebook -

"Rosie, by the way, did an "OUTSTANDING" job with the blaring parade noise, in a strange place, did ALL her stuff really nice. And if Rosie needed help, Jennifer, helped her like a pro! Great TEAM, and Just the way we LIKE EM!"

So we went out and bought cowboy hats, white shirts, and purchased the official leather vest with the GHTD patch on them and suited up for the Goshen homecoming parade!   It's one of the bi-laws that a horse is lead through their first parade so Jim lead Rosie while I walked as an out walker with the group.  Out Walkers other purpose is crowd control.  People tend to be stupid and want to dart out infront of the horses for candy or to pet them. 

The very next day was the Saddle Up For The Cure ride.  This ride benefits both Susan G. Komen and the Kettering Medical Center Foundation Women's Wellness Fund (local medical center).  Over $6000 in donations was raised by this event this year. 

Barn owner, S, and her friend, J, and I had a great a day decorating our horses for the ride and having photo's taken.

This was a pretty emtional day for me - you see the five pink ribbons in Rosie's mane.... Mom, and her two sisters, my mother in law, and my grandma are represented there.  Only my grandma is a surviror.    I've learned so much about "Breast Cancer" since loosing my mom.  My mom and her two sisters did not have "Breast Cancer" (meaning no masses s in the breasts) but the cancers they each had are caused by the breast cancer gene, BRCA. 

It was a beautiful fall day for a ride - and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

Just look at those smiles behind Rosie and I.

I will be making this an annual thing!