I feel that every 18 year old should go through Army basic training. I think its character building and eliminates the feeling of entitlement that so many kids have today (for three months anyway).
I joined the National Guard right out of high school. I completed my basic and then advanced trainings during my summers “off” and then participated in “monthly drills” throughout college. This was in addition to waitressing full time to pay for my tuition and board. With nine brothers and sisters there was to be no “free ride to college,” for me.
My enlisting in the Guard was all about reaching my long term goals. I had the brilliant idea that joining a branch of the service would look good to potential employers in the space industry. I wanted to be an astronaut and was studying Physics to help bridge me to an advanced degree in aeronautical engineering. While I never did make it to grad school as I couldn’t afford it, looking at the space program today, it was probably a good thing.
Regardless of my ultimate career choice, I loved the Army. I was, shall we say, “Gung Ho.” I don’t know if that’s a real military term or not but what it means is that I was “really into it.” I was voted Outstanding Trainee of the Cycle out of 500 young men and women in Bravo Company and earned a coveted Military Merit Award. I was a squad leader, achieved expert status with my M16 and helped guys twice my size off the ground (administering saltwater to revive them) during one particularly brutal road march in 100 degree, 100% humidity weather ( all while hauling 50 pounds of gear and carrying my weapon at “Port Arms”).
When I finally made it back home from basic training, I had a spot at Officer Candidate School (OCS) waiting for me, due to my aforementioned “enthusiasm.” I never took it as the commute to Denver from the rural Colorado college town where I lived would have made me miss too much class time. So, I opted for a Specialist rank attending a more local training facility instead, a mere 6 hour round trip. This way I could focus on my heavy school and work load.
So what does all that have to do with my Quest? Well the past month spent with Grand Prix rider, trainer Bill Lowry has given me flashbacks of those grueling months spent at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Bill clears an oxer in a Grand Prix competition.
Let me explain.
For the hour or so that I spend with Bill in my lesson, he fires out every 90 seconds, like clockwork, “SINK INTO YOUR HEELS” or “GET OFF HER BACK” or “KEEP YOUR LEG STEADY!” Mind you this is while I’m in a half seat, in canter – for nearly the ENTIRE sixty minute session. When I ask if I can “sit to let my injured ankle recover?” for just a few seconds, he retorts “MAN UP!” This is on top of his comment that I should be “COMMITTED” for contemplating jumping anything more than a ground pole let alone even considering a Grand Prix competition.
So my previous, albeit long ago, military training has unknowingly prepared me for my stint at what I am referring to as Bill’s “Nazi Riding Camp.” Here, it seems I’m to be subjected to his brutal equestrian basic training for the foreseeable future, anyway.
For a few moments my mind wanders back to a happier time at Peter Leone’s Lionshare (country club) Farm just last month, already a distant, yet fond, memory.
I snap back into reality as Bill screeches from his perch on the fence rail, “LET GO OF HER HEAD,” in reference to my “too tight” grip on the reins. I loosen them up a bit and sink further into my heels, for good measure, while continuing my canter in half seat.
As the sweat streams from under my helmet, onto my face and into my eyes, pain screaming from my bad ankle, I think to myself, “I got this—been there, done that!”
Who knew my Army drill Sergeant from so long ago would be preparing me one day for this experience at Winsor Farm in North Scituate, Rhode Island.
As I said, Boot Camp is character building and in this case will ultimately make me a better rider. So with that goal in mind, I say to myself, “Bring it on Bill – bring it on…”
About Bill Lowry & Winsor Farm
Winsor Farm Sales, Inc. is a multifaceted corporation centrally located in North Scituate, Rhode Island. Owned and operated by Bill and Abby Lowry, Winsor Farm Sales, Inc. specializes in CEM Quarantine and Footing. In addition, Winsor Farm Sales, Inc. offers quality imported horses for sale as well as training for the dedicated rider and horse.
Bill Lowry has a long history of winning – his grand prix wins include World Cup Qualifiers in Tampa, WEF Challenge Cups, HITS Grand Prix’s and many others. Bill is bringing his experiences from competing and training at the International level to the Footing Industry. No matter what the discipline, Bill truly understands what a horse needs in order to perform at its best on a daily basis. Bill works personally with the owners and trainers of facilities in order to create the best footing solution for their individual needs. Visit www.winsorfarmsalesinc.com to learn more.
