A Christmas parade with all horses, vehicles, handlers decked out in red sure gets everyone in the holiday spirt.
More than 70 horse units from throughout the Midwest showed up at Lawrence to parade before street packed clapping admirers.
It’s the third time participating in that world renowned most spectacular affair and perhaps the easiest and most enjoyable.
First time was with Mae decked out in her tassels pulling the antique fringed top carriage. There was certain applause but it was below freezing so the shivering mitten-earmuff-bundled spectators were somewhat sparse comparatively.
It was still better than the second drive in that parade with Mae pulling the high-wheeled cart in blizzardly cold rain. Honestly, driver and rider couldn’t stop teeth shattering for longer than the pickup ride back to the ranch.
This time, it was a bit cool, but sun shone brightly season-perfect with Maggie’s seemingly-choreographed jig for her red-decked-out cowboy. “Merry Christmas” was smiling and waving greeting to overflowing street side crowds everyone returning very happy gestures magnified.
Truly impossible to imagine all of the horse-drawn vehicles that participated some very elaborate surely expensive. Others were quite countrified not very costly but just as much fun for drivers, riders and parade watchers.
Horse power was as diversified if not more so from smallest spotted Miniatures to largest magnificent shiny black high-stepping Friesians.
Every horse, vehicle, handler was remarkably adorned with the most colorful obviously holiday season attire.
Santa Claus had more helpers on parade than were even countable and they were of every size, shape and color. White beards were as varied as the “Santa’s” themselves, yet all thankfully did wear certain red outfits of sort.
This year brought reflections about previous Christmas parades, and the horses used for such festive rides. Missy the sorrel mare was ridden at Topeka once. Ambrose the Blue Valentine stallion was hooked to the heavy training cart for Council Grove and Herington another year.
That black stud was also ridden in the Alta Vista Christmas parade when being the Lone Rider that season. Actually, such identification was called by several backstreet spectators this time as Maggie slowly trod behind to the parade lineup.
Anticipating riding in additional parades this holiday season although none are yet calendared.
Again, reminded of First Chronicles 15:19: “The celebration began with a parade.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XV–50–12-12-2021