Tails to be Told . . .A treasure chest of memories . READERS Tell

us stories!

Maybe its genetic?

Lifelong equestrians sometimes wonder how their love of horses came to be such a part of who they are. My grandfathers came from England and what I envied hearing about them was that they owned horses. Black and white photos told their stories. My mom’s dad, Edward Lowe, ranched near Pincher Creek Alberta and the image of him on his big palomino rounding up cattle made me love golden horses. But the pictures of the grandfather I never met, Sgt. George Stracker Akrigg, charging in a musical ride, thrilled me even more. He joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police and was a riding instructor for new troops. My dad told me of patrols going out of the Calgary detachment in blizzard conditions and how my grandfather’s personal horse, Napoleon, was stabled behind their house. I’ve read his journal entries of riding on parade with a horse that reared repeatedly until it finally collapsed and heard my father state that my grandfather was no “horse lover,” but I see more in this picture. Summer holidays for dad’s family often meant staying at a cottage on Waterton Lake. Here’s my grandfather astride a sturdy mount, truly someone at home in a saddle. I have a copy hanging in my tack room on what I call my “wall of inspiration.” When I tuck my Icelandic gelding, Leo, in at night, I like to think my grandfathers would approve of me feeling at home in a saddle too.

- Edith Fishlock, Yellowpoint BC

Send Saddle Up one or two photos and your memoirs (up to 250 words maximum please). Memoirs will be printed as space allows each month. Please include your phone number and location for our files and verification if needed. We would like to print your name (or initials) and location with your submission. You are welcome to send one or more in the months ahead as well. This will be a regular monthly feature... So start looking through those photo albums and share your stories with us. Photos will only be returned if you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. See page 4 for contact information.