The Secrets of the Traveling Space

Maddie Powers

Ms. Levin

Humanities Comprehensive

3/16/17

The Secrets of the Traveling Space

Have you ever been so connected with someone that when you’re apart your heart aches, but when you think about them you can’t help but smile? I have this relationship with my horse, Scout. To most people he may be just another horse, but he is everything to me. Scout and I are incredibly connected; the bond between us will never break regardless of any distance between us. Despite the fact that someday we will no longer be together, and I know that my heart will break on the day we part, my soul knows that he will always be with me. My bond with Scout is sacred. Because of this, regardless of where we go, the places we travel to also become sacred. In these sacred spaces, Scout has helped me develop self-worth, resilience and responsibility.

All horses have a certain undeniable beauty and dignity to them. However, Scout’s many different qualities make him my favorite horse. Scout is a strong, powerful gelding. He stands with his head held high and his curiosity showing. His eyes have a kindness like no other and a coat that shines as bright as the sun. Scout’s breed is a black and white tri-colored pinto. Because he is thirty seven and a half inches tall, Scout is considered a miniature horse.

I have learned many lessons over the years by spending time in my sacred space with my horse. For example, one of the most important lessons Scout has taught me is resilience. Three years ago my world with Scout turned upside down. It was my first horse show driving him. We got twenty feet into the ring when Scout became frightened and took off. I had no control over him and was dumped in the dirt. While I was lying in the dirt, my mind was both racing and wondering what had happened. Scout was running around the ring with the cart dragging sideways behind him, terrified. Many leaders and spectators worked together and eventually they caught him.

I am incredibly thankful that Scout came out with only a few minor cuts, and I came out with only a few bruises. After the show I worked and worked, spending countless hours trying to fix my failure. When I realized I could never fix him on my own, something in our relationship changed and I did not know how to fix what had been broken. Finally, I talked to some friends for advice and decided to get professional help.

Scout was sent to a trainer in Massachusetts to get the guidance he needed; he was there for six weeks. I drove an hour and a half every week to work with the trainer. After the six weeks, and a lot of practice, I was finally able to drive Scout with confidence. I had once thought that our special bond was broken, but I realized that we grew as a team and our bond became stronger than ever. I learned resilience because without it I could have lost my relationship with my sacred space forever.

My accident happened at the Cheshire Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are where Scout and I have changed the most. Many of the horse shows we go to are at the Cheshire Fairgrounds. On the flipside of my accident, Scout and I have made amazing strides at the fairgrounds.  For example, one show in particular where we defied expectations was the New Hampshire 4-H State Horse Show. Friends and 4-H leaders were afraid of me trying to drive Scout again. They were afraid of another accident, but they did not know about all the work we put in. I was nervous for the show, but Scout and I trusted each other. We ended up doing very well at the show, and I could not have been more proud of Scout! As a team we qualified for the Eastern States Exposition down at the Big E. I was amazed. When I think about the Cheshire Fairgrounds I think about the history we have shared there. Because I have had the privilege of working with Scout at the fairgrounds, it has become a truly sacred space. Every place we go turns sacred because of the memories that are made between a partnership so strong that it will never disappear. When I reminisce about horse shows, I will always remember how sacred each place we have shown at. While every place we go, we grow, the Cheshire Fairgrounds will always hold a special place in my soul.

Another space that is sacred to me because of Scout is the barn where he lives. Every week I go to the barn. The barn’s hay and manure may not be all glorious, but it is still sacred because of Scout. He pushes me to work hard and follow through with my responsibilities. For example, an important chore I have to do every week when I’m there is mucking stalls. I hate mucking stalls. Not because it’s gross, but because I don’t like cleaning up after people who don’t do their share of the cleaning. When I’m there Scout drives me to do my chores, so that I can work or play with him. Even when I catch myself just standing there watching him play in the paddock, the barn is sacred. There is magic in the air that I only get when I’m around him. Scout turns the bad into good, and then all my cares disappear, I lose track of time and let my heart run free.

Pride, resilience and responsibility are important characteristics that some people never find. I was lucky enough to have Scout to guide me. He lead me through some tough times, but I always came out on the other side stronger. Scout took ordinary places and made them sacred. As a team, we made memories and crossed hard paths. Sacred spaces can be anywhere and can travel if you packed your suitcase and are up for the adventures of life. “ If you want to travel fast, go alone, but if you want to travel far, go together”.(African Proverbs)