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Well, we went to watch the challenge not knowing what to expect
Two horsemen and a woman – supposed to be the best
They brought in 3 young horses that were only taught to lead
Fine Australian Stock horses – a credit to their breed
The horses shook and trembled as they feared for their lives
When the competitors entered round yards the audience came alive
As the ‘Whisperers’ went to work in their individual camps
There was Random, there was Mover, and of course the horse called The Champ
Each had a lot to learn in a small amount of time
For in two hours to the minute there was a mountain they must climb
They must accept a human passenger and take it in their stride
With an enthusiastic audience to witness their first ride
The methods were as varied as the personalities that were there
With tarps, stockwhips, and saddles – feet flew in the air
The horses were now wondering where this all would lead
Perhaps if they just ignored it, they would see another feed
The audience was captivated as they saw these horses grow
And of course it wouldn’t be Guy without putting on a show
The Champ covered in a tarp, the commentator cracked a joke
“I see Guy’s rugged his horse – isn’t he a caring bloke”
Janette was heard to mumble that she had a fighting chance
If they were looking for a buckjumper – her horse could really dance!
Janette’s involuntary dismount saw her somersault to the ground
She challenged Guy to ‘beat that’ when she took a look around
David kept quietly working and Random seemed quite cool
Although he had a brief explosion which would have unseated any fool
It was taken in the stride of the horseman on his back
This saddle thing got easier, the progress was on track.
The competition started with Janette the first to go
A walk, trot, canter, halt amongst the things they had to show
Then a trail to follow – a resistance now had started
And at the final obstacle the horse and rider parted
David came out next on his calm and steady horse
No problem with any elements of the expected course
A backup, a 360, and a ‘drag bag’ just for fun
His horse completed for him although it really could have run
Now Guy came out, the showman, and strutted all his stuff
The elements for The Champ just weren’t quite tough enough
So he dragged a tarp in his tail and let Guy stand on his back
And just to show he didn’t care, no flinch as whip did crack.
The final victor was obvious to those people in the know
The others just saw a showman, putting on a show
But when all is said and done the winners were all three
For they had captivated all of us – and not the least was me.
Copyright©
Mandy
Caust
November
2005
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