In Rodeo Daughter, my June Harlequin American Romance, four-year-old Hailey’s first horseback ride becomes a pivotal moment in the blossoming romance between former rodeo star, Amanda Markette and Mitch Goodwin, a stern prosecuting attorney who—thanks to a playground accident—struggles to regain custody of his daughter while earning Amanda’s love.
What child doesn’t love that first chance to ride a horse. I’m tipping my cowboy hat to Harlequin’s Art Department for capturing that excitement for the cover of Rodeo Daughter.
Recently, I ran across this picture of one of my firsts—my first horseback ride.
Yes, that’s me riding Biscuit. What a thrill! I just knew I was going to grow up to be a rodeo star like Amanda in Rodeo Daughter. I didn’t, but from that moment through my late teens, my sister and I spent most weekends at the local riding stables where we groomed horses in exchange for rides. And just a couple of years ago, when we wanted to celebrate a significant milestone, sis and I went on an all-day trail ride.
How about you? Have you ever been horseback riding? Was it a pivotal moment in your life?
4 comments:
Never rode a horse, yet. My mother loved horses and was an expert rider. My father hated horses and wouldn't go near them. Still, he took her to the ranch to ride at least once a year. But not us.
I went horseback riding when I was 5 or 6 at camp. I got thrown off the horse - he bucked me off. Scared me so much, that I stayed away from horses for years. I was in high school the next time I tried to ride. I still do not like horses.
I love the picture of you on the horse. So sweet!
Hi Leigh,
Yes, I actually talked my daddy into buying me a horse. Don't say it, "Spoiled brat, only child." Her name was Prissy and she lived at my grandparents' house with Daddy Jake's cows. She sort of thought she was a cow with no other horses to hang out with. My dad trained horses for a short time after WWII, but he never fully succeeded in teaching me to be a proper horse woman. Still, it was pretty cool.
Hey Leigh,
I've ridden a few horses in my time--we pretty much always had farm animals of one sort or another.
My most memorable ride was when I took our pony out bareback and it managed to dump me on the side of the road and go charging back down the highway to our house. Yes, I said highway!
I was terrified it would trip over the reins and break a leg, but it was unscathed. We must have been quite a sight with me chasing that darn pony all the way home.
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