“Teamwork makes it easier to get the most done.”
Reminded several times in recent weeks how important it is to assist each other. Always more efficient and fun working as a team.
There was a close race for the highpoint award at a late season horseshow. Three events remaining, the opponent was entered in all of them. If the cowgirl placed in any she would be the trophy winner.
Typically team events are not participated in anymore because the old horse has his set pattern speed and becomes tired. However, this time decision was made to find a partner to run in the pair sack race.
For lay folks, that’s a competition where two mounted riders hold onto a gunny sack running around a barrel. Five decades ago the pair race was run with riders holding hands, but that was physically difficult. Holding onto the sack is tough enough and many riders are disqualified by turning lose when the stretch becomes extended.
Course is sometimes altered and this time it was barrels on the corners at the opposite end of the arena. Two big palominos were literally chomping at their bits when starting in causing riders to lose sack handholds.
Reattaching old cowboys on their fast horses went flying through the gate breakneck speed around the pattern. The other speedier horse was on the outside pushing and crowding the entire route stopping the clock in winning time. Excited remarks from the loudspeaker as applause arose from the entire grounds at what earlier seemed an incomprehensible feat.
In younger years the rescue race was fun to enter. Never very athletic getting on behind a mounted running rider became a sport of the past in seniority. The relay race is also a four member team competition that builds lots of rider and spectator excitement.
A team of horses pulls farm machinery or vehicle easier than one. Two can operate a ranch more efficiently effectively than one working alone.
When there is cattle work two cowboys make the job easier. Harvest time generally requires team effort of combine operators and truck drivers. Neighbors exchange work with neighbors so as a team both of their farm tasks get done on time.
Reminded of Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XIV–46–11-15-2020
