History Blog

I really want to like Sam Worthington, but frankly, I’m just not impressed. While I could spend the next 1000 words telling you why I didn’t like Avatar, that’s probably not what you’re expecting to read on a Chronicle horse history blog!

So what is the point? Sam Worthington plays the hero Perseus in Clash of the Titans. Furthermore, Sam Worthington, who plays the hero Perseus, gets to ride Pegasus in Clash of the Titans.

I’m jealous.

I haven’t had a lot of time to ride this year. Between work, Snowmaggedon, Snowpocolypse, the rain, the cold, the absence of sunlight, my new coaching gig, and did I mention snow? I’ve been scrambling for more than five hours of sleep at night, let alone going riding.

I’ve had a pretty awesome streak of good news, lately. I found out I’m going to Europe in December, I got a job coaching soccer (my other great passion), my best friend just had a beautiful baby boy, the numbers in my bank account multiplied thanks to my income tax return, and I managed to win $200 on the slot machines at Charles Town Races and Slots (W.V.)! I didn’t even use my own money, since the casino gave me $25 free slot play. Go me!

My first car was a 1984 Chevy El Camino. I loved that car … or truck; depending on from what angle you were looking at it. The exterior was two shades of gray, the interior the same muted color, and one of my earliest memories of it was the road trip we took to California to drive it home.

You might be wondering how on Earth this relates to horses and history, but just wait. I do have a point!

If someone built a time machine, and everyone got a free ride to any time period in history, where would you go? It’s a tough choice, isn’t it? Our history is built upon so many fascinating moments and deeds that it’s hard to narrow it down to one choice. Personally, I think there is something incredibly fascinating about Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, but if I had to pick something in American history, I’d go with the Pony Express.

I love mares. Some people hate them, but I love them. I suppose I enjoy the challenge of managing their attitude and sometimes unpredictable mood swings. Keeps it interesting! But, the point of this blog isn’t to talk about my love affair with mares, rather, I want to discuss the Great Mare, also known as Epona.

I’m sure many of you are scratching your heads and wondering who the heck I’m talking about, but don’t panic if you can’t remember a mare named Epona; she isn’t really a horse.

Let’s play a game.

I’m thinking of a thing. It’s white and big and horse related, and you can find it by putting the following code into Google: 51.57753, -1.56668. Make sure you click on Satellite when you get there.

See it yet? Zoom in.

Anything yet? No? Keep zooming!

Turn your head to the right, and... Hey! That looks like…

A horse! The Uffington White Horse, to be precise, one of the most famous chalk figures on the hills of England. We’ll call him Uffy.

Do you ever wonder why we call things what we do? When I was a kid, I used to wonder what the world would be like if blue was actually yellow, up was supposed to be down, and yes really meant no. I also was curious why bad words were really all that bad, much to the chagrin of my parents, who were saints when it came to my endless curiosity.

But when it came to horses, I never questioned the name they were assigned. Horse just made sense. It was elegant and simple, but powerful all at once. Horse. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?