Monday, May 23, 2011

Trading Places

When I was 14 years old, life was so full of exciting things I almost didn’t know where to start...
Almost…

At that age I had already figured out that I wouldn’t be a good nun, boys where way to interesting to give up. I also knew that I did not want to be involved in anything that had to do with mathematics (go figure that 10 years later I got my masters in Agricultural Economics). I was defiantly not going to be a trucker, well not in Holland, the roads were just too small and there was too much traffic.  And that I loved speed except on my horse, whenever he decided to take off!

What I did figure out however was that I wanted to get my motorcycle drivers license. I thought driving a car was for sissies, so I would be much cooler to drive a huge motorcycle. Not a Harley, no one of those fast ones. Maybe yellow or flashy green???


Of course I would talk about this a lot and it wasn’t long before one of my friends told me, “Well, Leontien, if you really want to ride a motorcycle, why don’t I come over to your house with my 250 cc (HUGE BIKE) and you can try it out?”

I wasn’t really sure if I wanted him to know how incredibly awesome I would be so I made him a counter offer. “I would ride his bike if he would ride my horse. Trade places for a bit and see where we end up?"

So for weeks he bragged to all his friends that he would ride my horse and be really really good at it, make him (the particular horse) do all the tricks those little girls (being me, riding dressage) would do. And me telling all my girlfriends that I would take that motorcycle and speed off into the sunset.

Ah well, being young and innocent can be such a blessing…


Finally the day had come. My friend came over with his motorcycle and parked it right behind our house. I had to do a “take, double take” because that bike was BIG!!! But of course I couldn’t tell him that, instead we went to the barn and I showed him my horse, Flicka (yes after the movie, My Friend Flicka). His name was really Flipper, but I didn’t agree with the fact that my horse was named after a dolphin, so Flicka it was.

To this day I’m still not sure what my friend thought of my horse but we decided to ride the bike first then the horse.

In order to ride the bike properly we went to the little alley besides our hog barn. He explained all the handles, the pedals, the gas and yes the brake. He drove up and down the alley and came back smiling like crazy. Yes, he was going REALLY FAST! According to him I needed to “get a feeling for it” and so I rode with him on the back and yes it was EVEN FASTER!!! Maybe i wasn't the speed devil i thought i would be..?

I wasn’t even sure if I could do this…

But it was my turn, and i couldn't back out. He again, explained all the handles, pedals, brakes and gas and I got on. Oh my Gosh, I was really gonna do this…

I drove 10 meters (maybe 30 feet give or take) and got myself into a tractor tire rud (more like a gully), and the damn thing (the bike) was just too heavy for me, so next thing you know, because yes, I was also driving 1.5 miles an hour, the bike tips over!!! I fall on my side and the bike falls half on top of me and my friend has to run over (luckily not that far) to come and rescue me! I didn’t get hurt, well, not fiscally but my ego got a HUGE DENT! This was not how I imagined it to be, I was going to fly into the sunset, not get toppled over after 30 feet!


After I recovered from my embarrassment it was my friends turn to ride my horse. He was still chuckling over the fact I did so poorly and I’m sure if we had cell phones with Internet access it would have been sent to EVERYBODY!

So we saddle up Flicka and got him into the riding pen. I explain to my friend with what foot he needs to stand in the stirrup, how to use his reins and what to do to make Flicka go forward or stop. Did I mention I rode DRESSAGE??? He puts the left foot in the stirrup and with a little push from me, the literally falls onto the saddle…

Yes, boys are anatomically different build then girls…
So when you fall onto a saddle like that, something is going to hurt. BIG TIME!!! He didn’t only turn blue, no he turned GREEN! And he whimpered instead of screamed. Which made it even worse.

He got off Flicka, with again a little help from me and sat on the ground for at least 15 minutes. By then the color in his face had returned and I had put the horse in its stall.

We decide to tell everybody that “it just wasn’t our cup of tea…” and left it at that.

My appetite for being cool and riding a motorcycle went away that day. Now I’m just cool driving my car with the air conditioning on high…



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22 comments:

Katie said...

I always had dreams of being a motorcycle girl but never have felt safe! I agree on a horse or in an air conditioned car is better. Cute story.

A Work In Progress said...

My husband has motorcycles, we've traded a few times. I'm not that good with the motorcycle, but I do better than he does with the horse. He can't even get my horse to move, I have to lead him around like a little kid! I guess it's easier to find the gas pedal on a motorcycle.

Clint said...

The fact of the matter is that both choppers and horses are inherently dangerous. Folks who are skilled riders get killed on them.

But, this is a great coming-of-age story. I enjoyed it very much.

Julia said...

You have great stories to tell and I enjoy them all. JB

bon bon said...

haha!! well, you gained respect for each other and your individual talents that day!

TexWisGirl said...

well, i give kudos to both of you for being good at managing your choice of steed. :) i wouldn't be good at handling either one.

MadSnapper said...

my dreams were of riding a horse, which i have never done. you look so good on your big black flipper/flicka guy. this is a great story and you are so right, today it would have been on youtube right away and we could WATCH you turn over and him sit on the ground. me to on riding in a car with AC

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

Oh, that's funny. :) Motorcycles scare me too much to even attempt, so I admire your bravery!

Mary said...

That is sooo funny. I love your horse. A Tennessee Walker or Saddle Bred? You must be an accomplished rider.

LindaG said...

I didn't realize the saddle would make that much difference.

Great story though! :)

It's me said...

Hahahah! wat een mooi verhaal weer.....leuk paardrijden ....maar niet voor mij...ben echt bang voor paarden......raar he?? liefs fijne week van mij...xxx..

Nancy said...

Ride a mile in someone else's shoes? Great idea. Love this story. :)

TexWisGirl said...

hi there! i just gave you a blogger award today. please come by and pick it up when you have a minute (if you accept them, that is!) :)

Unknown said...

At least you can both say you tried! You are such a great story teller! Missed you today!

Miz Helen said...

I am so excited that you stopped by to meet me today, it gave me the opportunity to come over and hear your wonderful story. In Texas we would say you set that saddle really well and can really spin a yarn. Great story, I'll be back. Hope you are having a fun day!

Ginger said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog! I came on over to check yours out. I'm glad I did! You have a great blog and I love farm blogs! I look forward to following along with your adventures!

Kerry said...

You rode (ride?) dressage. My sister-in-law is a dressage judge and I am in awe. I love horses but have never had one. I just have boots, that's all.

Caron said...

I really am enjoying your stories! This one made me laugh out loud about the horse named after a dolphin. That tickled my funny bone! Thanks!

Dawn said...

hehe..you always THINK trading places is a good idea...until you do it;0)
Grass is always greener....:)

Buttons Thoughts said...

I LOVE your stories they keep me guessing and laughing. B

MommyDigger.com said...

Beautiful horse! Thank you for your kind words :)

Following back, thank you for stopping by my blog www.mommydigger.com

MadSnapper said...

testing comments