When you think
of competitive trail or endurance riding you think of a grueling
ride for you and your trusted steed. Racing against time, through
rough terrain, exposed under the elements and mentally and physically
fatigued. So at the best of times you must be in tremendous physical
shape and mentally prepared for anything. Most importantly you
and your horse must have that special connection to push you
both over the finish line.
Catherine Hogan has what it takes to strive for success. And
physical limitations have nothing to do with it.
After earning a BA in Zoology from the University of Montana,
she moved to the San Francisco Bay area to work in the corporate
world. Catherine had never had much time for horses and riding.
She worked hard and played hard. It was one game of rugby that
changed her life forever. "I don't really have a lot of
memories about the incident itself, I heard later I was in the
front row of a scrum…and it happens, life took a different
course."
Catherine was told the prognosis wasn't good. She'd never walk
again, never have the use of her hands and not have normal body
functions. But then things changed again she says. "Within
three months I was walking again, it can't be explained but life
is full of mysteries, so I'll take it."
Well walking was one thing, but mentally it would take Catherine
years to get over the anger she felt about the accident, and
how it had changed her life so dramatically. However with her
need for physical therapy and a lifelong love of horses, she
heard about equine therapy for the 'handi-capable' as she calls
herself. Having little riding experience she was reluctant to
perch her now unstable frame high above ground upon the back
of a horse. But for this once active woman, the thought of greater
mobility was attractive enough to take the first ride. However
it couldn't be just any horse, her lifelong companion had to
be patient, sensitive to Catherine's needs and understanding
of her limitations. He had to get used to special modifications
to a saddle and stirrups and most importantly to Catherine's
assisted mount, limited rein control and instability in the saddle.
A tall order for even the best-trained horses. In come Foxfire
and Dancyn Dream both Arabians with gentle dispositions that
would again change Catherine's life forever. "He is tremendously
patient," she says about her horse Dancyn. "He has
to learn a lot of things about my hands because I can't bend
my fingers." She says as she slowly straps up his bridle
without him flinching a bit. While watching these two you can't
help but see the sensitivity her horse has for her. "It's
like he knows what I need, that I need him to stand still, that
when I poke him in the ear by accident he understands."
We watch as they get ready for their 12-mile ride on a blustery
day in May. "I use what's called a tackaberry buckle with
a hook and a D ring. The billet strap is already pre-wrapped
so I don't need to fuss with it and worry about having a really
bad hand day." Catherine says as she points out the cinch
around his midsection. The saddle is also equipped with extra
support and padding and the caged stirrups have padded footrests.
"My foot is much less likely to spasm on a cushioned surface
than it is a hard surface," she says.
It takes Catherine a little longer to get ready, but Dancyn doesn't
seem to mind. "There was so much for this horse to learn,
being comfortable with me and how I feel in the saddle, it's
a basis for trust and communication with the horse. Many people
ask me why I do this, it was important for me to develop trust
in the world again after the injury. The horses have been a real
good tool in that, because if you expect trust you need to project
it first, and what I've found in return is strong trust and devotion
from them. I can't just sit, why should I allow myself to be
paralyzed by fear?"
We watched with great anticipation and adoration as the team
came across the finish line, and asked Catherine how the long
12 miles went? "We learnt that we can do it" she said,
"with miles of smiles, this is a great great day."
And it showed with her smile as big as the Montana skies above,
as Dancyn Dream sure-footedly brought her home.
So for all of those who wondered just why she does this, besides
being driven by her own strong will, it's for the love of the
sport, for the love of her horses and most importantly for the
love of life.
