1971: Dear Linda, Wonder Woman on Horseback

Dear Linda,

Everything about you fascinated my 8-year-old self. You wore a bikini top and Wrangler jeans with an impressive belt buckle I was convinced you won for some world-famous trick ride.  You commanded a group of too many kids, even more horses, with a small handful of wranglers.   To me you were the real life, true west version of Wonder Woman.  Nothing made me prouder than winning one of your meticulously homemade gold painted horse shoe ribbons.

For at least 5 summers Colorado Academy Day Camp was my summer circus playground or employer and you were the most amazing ring master. At the time I was vaguely aware that you and your crew came from somewhere else… maybe even as far as Wyoming?  I have no idea where you lived all summer or how you accomplished that spectacular Dolly Parton like, side braid of a hairdo regardless of the weather.  I just know it was a whole lot of work and even more responsibility as you trusted us to advance our very beginner skills to barrel racing.  

Whether in the ring or on the trail, and no matter how much the sage brush bloomed my hay fever, I just loved every minute. It simply remains my greatest memory of pure childhood joy with you my first example of a steel magnolia of a leader I later learned I aspired to be. A highly original touch of show pony with a whole lot of work horse.

aka Annie Hoagland