A girl's dream
The ride of her life25 total reviews
Comment from BethShelby
This story hit home for me because the same thing happened to me on an unpredictible horse. He ran full speed under every low hanging branch trying scrape me off. I too dodged branches and managed to stay on. He would also stop abruptly and the speed up again. It was the last time I was ever on a horse.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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This story hit home for me because the same thing happened to me on an unpredictible horse. He ran full speed under every low hanging branch trying scrape me off. I too dodged branches and managed to stay on. He would also stop abruptly and the speed up again. It was the last time I was ever on a horse.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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I have ridden very little since then, and only in groups and ondocile horses. It was quite traumatic, especially after Annette's death. Thanks so much for a great review.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
How sad, but horses are animals and with any animal they can be unpredictable. I learned to ride from my uncle who rode rodeo bulls. His wife was a trick rider. He had a horse, that was a horse trained to take bull riders off after their ride. He has scars on his sides where he had been gored by the bull's horns. He was very gentle, but still my uncle never allowed me to go by myself. Your story is sad.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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How sad, but horses are animals and with any animal they can be unpredictable. I learned to ride from my uncle who rode rodeo bulls. His wife was a trick rider. He had a horse, that was a horse trained to take bull riders off after their ride. He has scars on his sides where he had been gored by the bull's horns. He was very gentle, but still my uncle never allowed me to go by myself. Your story is sad.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Barbara. A fine review. Yes, they are unpredictable, especially if one doesn't know their background experiences. This retired racehorse had been injured, and I often wondered if that trauma had changed his personality.
Wendy
Comment from Cindy Decker 3
Wendy,
I'm sorry you lost your friend.
Your story is very well written.
You quicken the pace, using great writing during the scene where the "wild" horse gallops out of control. I love this effect.
Exceptional writing, Wendy,
Best wishes,
Cindy
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Wendy,
I'm sorry you lost your friend.
Your story is very well written.
You quicken the pace, using great writing during the scene where the "wild" horse gallops out of control. I love this effect.
Exceptional writing, Wendy,
Best wishes,
Cindy
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much, Cindy. I am pleased you enjoyed this writing. Your thoughtful words mean a lot.
Wendy
Comment from LJbutterfly
This story is so gripping it had me clinging to my chair, especially when the girl was given an ex-racehorse that attempted to throw her off. I could feel her strength and determination with the statement, "Fear transitioned to anger," and she fought to stay on the horse.
I'm so sorry about the death of Annette. I loved the creative way you told the story in third person, only to reveal the narrator was you. Well done.
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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This story is so gripping it had me clinging to my chair, especially when the girl was given an ex-racehorse that attempted to throw her off. I could feel her strength and determination with the statement, "Fear transitioned to anger," and she fought to stay on the horse.
I'm so sorry about the death of Annette. I loved the creative way you told the story in third person, only to reveal the narrator was you. Well done.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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Thank you very much for this super review. So very encouraging. Much appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
What an amazing story that kept me gripped until the end, not least because I had a similar incident with a horse when I was learning to ride, although, true to form, I fell off!! The narration of the story picked up pace, resembling the panic of the horse and, all the time, there was a sense that this was going to end badly. The twist at the end that, it wasn't you, but your friend who came to grief impacted heavily as we see just how closely you came to a similar fate.
Regarding grammar, my only suggestion would be: He was trying (not to) destroy. (to save splitting the infinitive- a personal quibble);
to not allow him to throw her, not allow him to win - again I would change to: refusing to let him throw her or win. Just a suggestion:)
But a tragic story, excellently conveyed. Well done! Debbie
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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What an amazing story that kept me gripped until the end, not least because I had a similar incident with a horse when I was learning to ride, although, true to form, I fell off!! The narration of the story picked up pace, resembling the panic of the horse and, all the time, there was a sense that this was going to end badly. The twist at the end that, it wasn't you, but your friend who came to grief impacted heavily as we see just how closely you came to a similar fate.
Regarding grammar, my only suggestion would be: He was trying (not to) destroy. (to save splitting the infinitive- a personal quibble);
to not allow him to throw her, not allow him to win - again I would change to: refusing to let him throw her or win. Just a suggestion:)
But a tragic story, excellently conveyed. Well done! Debbie
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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Thank you for a wonderful review for the beautiful extra star, and for your helpful suggestions (which I will take on board). All are much appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Oh my goodness, this is such a sad story Wendy. It started off with lots of anticipation and excitement as riding a horse and enjoying the freedom of horseback riding. This turned into a nightmare when the horse bolted and tried to unseat the rider. Fortunately you stayed on and survived but your friend did not. Thank you for sharing this sad memory from your past, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Oh my goodness, this is such a sad story Wendy. It started off with lots of anticipation and excitement as riding a horse and enjoying the freedom of horseback riding. This turned into a nightmare when the horse bolted and tried to unseat the rider. Fortunately you stayed on and survived but your friend did not. Thank you for sharing this sad memory from your past, love Dolly x
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Dolly. It was quite traumatic, especially after Annette died, and I have rarely ridden since then. A super review, much appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from patcelaw
This is a very heart stopping and yet poignant writing that you have done here about this young lady on a horse that had gone mad. I hope that you will continue to write such stories. You've always impressed me with your writing. May you have a wonderful day and may God bless you.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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This is a very heart stopping and yet poignant writing that you have done here about this young lady on a horse that had gone mad. I hope that you will continue to write such stories. You've always impressed me with your writing. May you have a wonderful day and may God bless you.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Thank you so much, Patricia. What a lovely review - you are very kind.
Wendy
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Oh no! How horrible about your friend and that ride was so scary. I have never ridden a horse. They are too far off the ground and too wiggly underneath me. They are wonderful creatures though and I enjoy watching them. I'm curious whether you continued riding after that. Thanks for sharing. Very good story.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Oh no! How horrible about your friend and that ride was so scary. I have never ridden a horse. They are too far off the ground and too wiggly underneath me. They are wonderful creatures though and I enjoy watching them. I'm curious whether you continued riding after that. Thanks for sharing. Very good story.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Marilyn. I have ridden very little since then. It was quite traumatic especially after Annette's death. I appreciate your kind review.
Wendy
Comment from juliaSjames
A compelling story with a shocking ending. Obviously many years ago when safety requirements were not as stringent as they are now. I can't imagine why a riding school kept an unpredictable horse in its stables. Or how it could knowingly hire out horses to untrained young riders.
It's one of life's tragic ironies that your young friend wore full gear including a helmet and was a competent rider but didn't survive her fall. May she rest in eternal peace.
Wendy, while your reveal in the concluding paragraph makes for a dramatic ending, I would have loved to know if you ever rode again or if emotional trauma put an end to your dream.
Blessings, Julia
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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A compelling story with a shocking ending. Obviously many years ago when safety requirements were not as stringent as they are now. I can't imagine why a riding school kept an unpredictable horse in its stables. Or how it could knowingly hire out horses to untrained young riders.
It's one of life's tragic ironies that your young friend wore full gear including a helmet and was a competent rider but didn't survive her fall. May she rest in eternal peace.
Wendy, while your reveal in the concluding paragraph makes for a dramatic ending, I would have loved to know if you ever rode again or if emotional trauma put an end to your dream.
Blessings, Julia
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
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Yes, I did wonder about that as looking back, it was so reckless of them to let me ride that horse - these days that would not happen. It was a former racehorse, but injured itself leaping a fence one time and had to retire, but it definitely had a mean streak. There was far less focus on safety in those days. I have rarely ridden since then, and only in groups and on a docile horse. Annette's death was such a shock to everyone. Thanks so much for your interest and your wonderful review.
Wendy
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Tragic tragedy. Accidents just happen. With devastating result.
A sudden unexpected sneeze and you are in the path of a truck (lorry?), a bee flies into your auto window to sting you in the face to the same result. Most accidents might be avoided, but not all. Most might not end in catastrophe, but some do. What can you do, stay at home in the house only to die of radon poisoning?
Nicely written. Good work.
Very sad for your friend.
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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Tragic tragedy. Accidents just happen. With devastating result.
A sudden unexpected sneeze and you are in the path of a truck (lorry?), a bee flies into your auto window to sting you in the face to the same result. Most accidents might be avoided, but not all. Most might not end in catastrophe, but some do. What can you do, stay at home in the house only to die of radon poisoning?
Nicely written. Good work.
Very sad for your friend.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2024
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Exactly. Yet, I have rarely ridden since then - although I have done other things with near-disastrous endings. Thank you so much for reviewing. I am very grateful.
Wendy
