In Loving Memory of Caliente's Lancer

This is a short story about Caliente’s Lancer, aka “Lance.”  My mom got Lance when she was married to my Dad back in 1973 when he was still a two year old stallion. She loved him like I loved Tripp. He was a very gentle stallion and trained to the bone.  He was the type of horse that would go on an organized trail ride or go in a show ring and come out with all the blue ribbons that could be had for western pleasure, trail classes, and bareback classes.

 She kept Lance until she and my Dad got divorced in 1981. She had to sell him because she couldn’t afford to keep him and take care of me as well. I can remember in either 1984 or 1985, her new husband coming home with Lance for her. She cried tears of joy to have him back.

That was when my lessons truly started. I was given four professional trainers, but none of them really got me to learn how to ride.  I rode Lance for many years while my mom graciously rode other horses. Then I got brave enough to ride other horses. She use to literally tell me you either ride that horse or you walk beside the horse, but either way you’re not riding Lance home.  I thought she was so mean for doing that to me, and trust me I walked a many a trails back then.  However, in her defense she did spend plenty of money trying to get me to learn how to ride a horse.  I just refused to put any effort into trying to ride. Then one day it all clicked and I was riding every horse under the sun. 

Then my daughter, Katherine, was born in 2000. As you can see in the picture she rode Lance at age 30 and still going strong. However, he did pass away due to old age the following year.  

He was a remarkable horse. He is still missed to this day. I can honestly say that I have never come across another horse quite as good as he was. (Tripp was my baby, but he is stubborn and bull headed.)

         By Crystal Green