Saddlin' Up II: The Sequel

Been hoping I could find a reason to get back in the saddle again, and finally it happened. about some fabulous red cowgirl boots, a Social Security check and a horse named Merlin. My lame attempt at humor resulted in an absurd video starring Carroll Magill Wellman Dupree (aka Oby) and myself. It was titled Saddlin’ Up on Social Security.  I always intended to write Saddlin’ Up II, The Sequel. Sure to be a blockbuster for buffoons! But never did.

And then WHAM-BAM, out of the clear blue sky, a most wonderful project came my way through connections with Susan B. Steffey and Johnette Young Padgett. It seems that our leading lady (Oby) has dog-gone gone and done it far too many times, and now finds herself running a huge animal preserve for orphaned and injured four-legged creatures of God. Those of us who know her well realize her heart is big enough to offer them the love and attention they deserve. But these animals don’t come with trust funds, and expenses for room, board and medical needs adds up to BIG bucks (and I’m not talking about male deer).

So we’ve established a fund to help her menagerie. It’s called Oby’s Second Chance Animal Ministry. All funds raised will go to help defray costs of food and feed, trips to the vet and treatments needed to secure healthy lives. The love is free, and given freely by Oby and David. Before I continue with my sequel, I urge you to open your hearts and give freely by sending checks payable to Oby’s Second Chance Animal Ministry, c/o Susan Steffey, 6738 Anderson Lake Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Now cue the music: Grand Canyon Suite, complete with sounds of horses’ hooves clopping down the trail.

Scene One: Aging former TV program host, Meg Dure, rises early to prepare for photo shoot to illustrate her Patch column on red cowgirl boots. After hours in hair and makeup, she sets out to Statham, country home of her beloved friend and animal lover Oby Dupree.

After taking two wrong turns she arrives and is greeted warmly by David, Oby’s husband. After gushing over the beauty of the farm, I become gaga over a beautiful horse named Merlin, who is pivotal in making this photo work.

Now, Oby is an accomplished horsewoman – she’s been comfy in the saddle since she could say “stirrups.” Me, on the other hand, I’m the antithesis of an equestrian/athlete etc. The closest I ever came to any livestock was when cows from the UGA Dairy Barn (then on Ag Drive) pasture got loose one Sunday morning and moseyed up University Drive to graze on my Mama’s prized Zoizia! 

Getting me up on that horse was not for the faint of heart. I give Oby credit, she made sure Merlin had on his best red blanket (to match the boots), and had her mane perfectly manicured…hair spray and all. Well the video tells the rest of the story.

It’s a blessing the video/camera was off as I was dismounting. Not a pretty sight.  But I survived, as you can see. By the time it came to take off our boots, we were all rolling in the grass, laughing our heads off. Using the bootjack was a whole other story. City girls don’t grow up knowing how to use such objects. I do now.

CUT!

Closing scene: Oby takes Merlin for a gallop, while all in attendance get out their check books to support the cause.