Thistledown Farm

Opening Day

And so....the BIG day had arrived at last. Johnny Denver had parked his battered truck where I had showed him so as it wouldn't be so....noticeable ! I had told him that the other parking places would be needed for visitors.

 Hillary Clinton had offered to make a simple buffet at a reasonable charge and now it was arranged out the back of the farm on the decking area. Johnny was to bring it out in stages so as it wouldn't go off. He would remove the cling film from off the food when it was time. The opening day will commence at ten thirty a.m. and culminate at four thirty p.m.....or when it fizzled out I suppose, but those were the times I had put down on our website and the posters I had distributed.

 In the barn were now three stables for the three horses I had got. Johnny had made an area right at the top of the barn to enclose Flint. Bridles and tack, brushes and forks had their own area.

 As you entered the barn, to the immediate left we had made into a 'work zone'. Here now was a sturdy old work bench with two drawers and an equally old chair. In one drawer were note pads, biros, and stationery that would come in handy. In the other drawer were a variety of tools, nails and screws etcetera, and on the wall was a information board where I would pin the list with Johnny's jobs for that day and anything else that would be applicable. A filing cabinet with four deep drawers was standing proud next to the bench, I am sure we could fill it up with work related papers.

 My brother, Bodie and his wife Kayley were on their way and would be here soon. Thank goodness mom and dad couldn't make it, but they had rung to wish me every success for today. I wondered if Goldie Horne would come as I had invited her four days ago at my last lesson. She had work on that day and would try to make it at some time. Kate Winsley, who I had met at the horse auction, hadn't phoned me. You remember don't you that I had given her my cell number and told her to phone or call round my place anytime ? Anyway, I had asked Goldie to pass a message on to Kate....about my open day. Kate more than likely had....mislaid the piece of paper with my cell number on.

 Here comes Bodie's car now. A pale blue 1970's Ford Mustang Boss 429....a classic.... drew up outside.

"Wow you look smart in that suit." We shook hands and bumped knuckles in a male bonding ritual.

"Well I made an effort for you," Bodie replied, "And....I'm not always wearing my coveralls you know !"He joked, spreading his hands out down to his pants as if to make a point.

"Well, when you boys have finished, perhaps you could show me where I can freshen up." The last remark was aimed at me. "It's been a long car journey," laughed Kayley, hugging me.
"Sure, It's great to see you....this way."

Ten thirty came and a trickle of visitors emerged. The cling film came off. "Help yourselves folks." announced Johnny.  Goldie Horne dropped by and I showed her some business cards I had run off the printer. Included were words like, Beginners, Novice, and Advanced Day and Evening Lessons available on quality safe horses matched to riders abilities. Also I had printed flyers announcing a Happy Hooves Day for kids, six kids would share three horses. They would clean the stables and tack, feed and brush the horses and have half an hour riding lesson each. Three kids would ride while three kids would complete a paper naming as many points of the horse as they could, like mane, frog, pastern etcetra, then name all the grooming brushes and color the lot in. Then afterwards the three kids will reverse roles. Lunch would be provided of hot dogs, burgers, milk shakes or soda pop.

Kate Winsley

Wait....who's that ? It's....It's Kate Winsley.

"Hi Kate, glad you could come."

"Hi Kyle, sorry I haven't phoned you, only I lost your number."....

....See, I told you as much didn't I....Wow! She had such a nice smile. "Come and help yourself to refreshments." Kate had green eyes and auburn hair....so....so, enchanting.

Sabrina brought her guitar to play western rock music. Later Johnny Denver treated us to a lasso display and I rode Lady and jumped an Inclined
Triple Bar jump....in 'full English Style', clothes and all. Bodie had a good laugh about my clothes.

Some folks rode their horses to the opening.... In all I would say the opening day went well, this was because.... Kate was there!