The long awaited social debut of formerly highly touted horseman, Jim Tate, finally occured on Saturday, July 7, 2009.  For the event, Tate was well mounted on the formidable dark Charger, Palladin Perkins.

 

The event was the monthly gathering of the Poor Peoples Riding Club.  This months event featured an excellent breakfast for the riders, repared by Tom and Art and Jim.  The Jim was Jim Leahy and regretably the last names of the other two chefs have thus far eluded this reporter.  If the truth must be told the reporter was too busy scarfing down Bacon and Eggs and Biscuits and Hash browns to be troubled with too many things like last names.

 

The event started bright and early with Tate and Perkins desiring to be in the early riding contingent to allow breakfast to be consumed at leisure, post ride.

 

Before the ride, Pallading Perkins was suitably outfitted with a new pair of Cavello boots.  No mere shoes for this charger.  He required boots to perform at his best.

 

Perkins dispensed with the adjustment period recommended for the boots and he was tacked up and wiped down and even donned a new Cashel Riding Fly Mask. 

 

Tate, on the other hand, was dressed like and looked like Tate.  No silk purse out of this sows ear is predicted to be possible ever again.

 

A minor equipment failure was detected before the ride began.  A stirrup fastener had pulled through, but it was detected and was tied up with some handy rawhide and preperations continued unfettered.  these things happen when people use vintage equipment.  The saddle in question has been in use, albeit not continuously, since at least 1963 and it did not appear to be brand new at that time.

 

The services of a well reputed saddlery shall be obtained and the equipment shall be refitted as if new or alternately a new synthetic may be obtained if one can be sized adequately for large butted knight and both stately chargers.

 

Should inject at this point that the other mount, who is in training, was reported on Friday last, by the trainer and our intrepid horseman is scheduled to go and ride the Big Blue Beauty one afternoon this week.  She shall shortly thereafter be transported back to the Pipe Dream Estate.

 

The lucky party who were seleccted to accompany the debuting duo were Mrs. Colleen Leahy and her  7 year old grandaughter Sydney, adrenaline junkies both.  Also in the party was Mrs. Roberta Young who was mounted on a new horse she has recently acquired.  A lovely dappled gray walking horse whom she was beginning to condition for endurance. This party departed the assmebly area in the vangard as others were still arriving.  Free form scheduling was the order of the day with breakfast ready at 10:00 am.

 

The morning was lovely and bright and sunny and yet cool.  Very much so for mid July.

 

This being one of the "SLOW" parties, our heros had thought the reference was to speed.  Apparently it was a reference to our heros' mental accuity.  With one rider  being in possession of a GPS, it was documented that the walking horse reached speeds of 14 miles per hour.  Perkins apparently had bursts of 25 or 30 in an effort to keep up.  Safe to say the big trot was exercised a good bit .  Perkins was finally convinced that it was inded suitable to canter and that every step did not have to be the big trot. 

 

Perkins aquitted himself very well in adjusting to the increased demands and in adjusting to his new boots.  They did aid greatly in reducing the tenderness he had exhibited on the same trails just a few weeks earlier.

 

A couple of new things were experienced in the debut.  Pallading Perkins apparently has a great disdain for water.  While he has somewhat overcome his desire to soar over every little trickle of a stream, he absolutley refused to wet his feet in the waters of Lake Anna.  Ohters in the party were knee deep on the mounted riders and cooling off nicley.  It is widely believed that Perkins had overheard some discussion of Nuclear cooling and was fearful.  Then a boat went by with a water skier and he was assured of his doom.  No power was going to overcome his reluctance to being dragged to his death by that monster.  He was no problem.  He was just steadfast in his resolve that he was perfectly fine on the shore, where he safely was.

 

On the back side of the loop the riders met with a couple more endurance riders whom it was assumed by the debutants were going the opposite way on the loop.  Plesantries were exchanged and all proceeded on their way.  About a half hour later Perkins was appalled to discover that some monsters approached from the rear.  Turns out it was the same endurance riders apparently preferring to use the hilly side of the loop both ways.  Perkins attributed his suprise to the riding mask.  Some story about it had a blind spot, even though all others human and equine had clearly heard the approaching monsters .....er riders.  He soon recovered his composure and the party advanced.  The now assembled endurance riders regrouped and advanced and left Colleen and Sydney to baby sit the debutants. 

 

All arrived back at the assembly area in time to dismount and care for the chargers before engaging in the hearty breakfast.  Perkins stood quietly at the tie rack and munched on some Orchardgrass and Alfalfa hay himself, while enjoying a cool breeze in the shade.

 

After a hearty and delicious meal and meeting a few new folks and a few new horses,  Many mounted up for a post meal ride.  Perkins hopped in the trailer and nickered Home James and the debutants departed to return to the Pipe Dream estate where they arrived safely a bit after noon.  Perkins stable mate, Junior, was elated to see the return of his buddy and galloped forward to greet him.  They went out to pasture and grabbed a quick couple of mouthfuls of grass and then went to the stable to stand together with Perkins regaling the little mule with tales of his adventures.

 

A wonderful morning and we would again like to thank all those who made it possible.  We had a grand time.  Perkins is making inquiries about where exactly is this Graves Mountain and when is...... but he finally decided that as long as the cookies and pepermints and the hay made the trip, that he was good for it.

 

 

Pipe Dream Farm

15234 Old Ridge Rd.

Beaverdam, Va. 24015

www.pipedreamfarm.com