June 28th, 2010

Roger Cheshier
I have mates all over the world , but very few true friends . Roger Cheshier from El Dorado Arkansas , is a true friend. I hate to see anybody get hurt on a horse , especially. A guy like Roger , who has more personality and spark for life , he helps and inspires so many people . Roger had an accident on the weekend , where his horse rared up and came over on him , breaking Rogers pelvis, he is in hospital tonight awaiting an operation. He could certainly use your prayers. “How the accident happened” ,the 9 year old mere Roger was riding is one he has ridden for yrs. She has been trained to cut and team pen, I had a look at the mere that morning and although she was a little un-trusting on the ground ! After just 20 minutes , I had won her over. Roger and I both rode her that morning and she rode great , I made a comment ” she did need some work on coming off the leg , or giving to the spur”. After lunch Roger rode the mere again and she was great in her response , Rogers daughter than rode her in a walk trot and lope without any trouble , it was after Alli had asked the horse to leave us and ride away , the mere showed signs of not wanting to turn to leave. I am sure that horse had been around enough riders to know , she had it over Alli , Roger than hopped on the horse , naturally wanting to finish on a good note . We all make mistakes , take into account it was a hot Arkansas day , the mere showed signs of tiredness and fatigue , while Roger got her spinning in circle,s left than right as he than added more pressure , she rared up , Roger didn’t release the pressure off the reins in time , as she went higher , she had no where to go, falling over backwards , pinning Roger on the ground. Often incidents like this are not freak accidents , its often a series of events that lead to somebody getting hurt. You cannot fight with a horse , you can argue all day long as long as you are winning , but if it turns into a fight , take a big deep breath and relax , show the horse , what you are looking for , release the pressure when they give you what you have asked , you may not have gotten the 100 percent you were looking for , but you will live to ride another day. Roger , Sarah and family , you are all in our prayers . Hoping for a speedy recovery friend , Zac and I are looking forward to riding with you in the near future , it is hard to imagine some good could come from such an accident , but I know there will . Thinking of you all.
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