Martha, in her youth, was a champion barrel racer. She and her Quarter horse, Buttermilk, were once one of the sport’s best. It takes a special person and horse to do it successfully because barrel racing is one of the fastest events in the rodeo world.

Martha and buttermilk had been racing together a very long time. They rode as one whenever they competed. Together they had three national championships and appeared to be well on their way to earning their fourth. In fact, they were preparing for the National Barrel Racing Championship Event in Hutchinson, Ks. Her fifteen year old daughter, Katie, would be competing with her.

At thirty five, though, the likelihood of many more championships was diminishing. She loved the sport too much to just leave it. Training the younger competitors, which she had already been doing for several years, would be a great way to continue.    

That was five years ago. Before Martha suffered a devastating accident ending her career.

The month before her accident Buddy, her husband, had died in a fatal car crash. He was her rock, her confidant, her adviser, and her biggest fan. Now, without Buddy, she lost her heart to compete.

After only a month of grieving, she returned to the sport. But only as an instructor. Before her husband’s death, she and her students were preparing for the Nationals. Without Buddy at her side, she had no interest in competing. Her students, though, still needed her guidance.

Martha had always insisted her students pay strict attention to detail, both before and during the event. Like any high risk sport, equipment, physical and mental health, and event preparedness are essential. To be anything less than fully prepared is not fair to rider or horse.

In barrel racing, riders enter the arena at a full gallop and obtain maximum speed before reaching the first barrel. Horse and rider bend their bodies, in unison, around each of three barrels. Each rider chooses to make either two left turns and one right turn or two right turns and one left turn. That decision is based upon which way the horse turns the best. Concentration, dedication, hard work, preparation, understanding, and communication is the key to being a successful rider.

On the day Martha returned to instructing, she was still thinking of Buddy and how much he would have enjoyed watching her prepare for competition. 

          Buttermilk, of course, was glad to be working again. She hadn’t seen Martha or Buddy for quite some time. With Buddy’s absence, Buttermilk could sense something was not right. She heard Martha talk to the students but could tell that there wasn’t as much excitement in her voice as usual. The champion horse knew the routine and would do her best not to disappoint Martha during practice.

While saddling Buttermilk, Martha was remembering how much Buddy enjoyed helping her prepare them for their ride. Half-heartedly, Martha saddled and then mounted Buttermilk, helmetless. Neglecting her years of training, Martha guided her horse into the arena and began the barrel racing routine.

While rounding the second barrel at full speed in her practice session, Martha’s saddle slipped. Those in the arena saw it slip to the side. Even Buttermilk felt it. Martha was unable to regain her balance. Her head hit the barrel before hitting the ground with a thud.

Martha’s eyes opened six months later in the hospital. The first things she saw was Katie. Then she saw the breathing tubes. She tried to ask her daughter what happened but found she was unable to speak or to move. Katie told her mother she had suffered a severe head injury. Her brain had swollen causing the coma from which she had just awakened. She was lucky to even be alive.

Everyone was told that her road to full recovery may not happen. Katie insured her all were confident, though, that with lots of prayer, and lots of hard work, Martha would indeed be back.

None of them could have ever predicted how difficult that task would really be. Although Martha was conscious, it would be months before she could speak a few words and feed herself. After six more months, Martha was released from the hospital. Two years later she could manage, by herself, to negotiate her wheelchair. Finally, after four years of rehab, she felt as if she might be able to attempt to ride a horse again.

Martha, most of the time was upbeat. Sometimes, she got discouraged. Throughout all those years, Katie was there.

Buttermilk was grieving too. It was hard for her to understand why anyone seldom came to see her. She enjoyed being put through the grueling paces of barrel racing. But since Martha went away, she was seldom given any attention. Her life had become mundane. She felt unwanted.

Today neither are a participant in the sport. Martha is forty and Buttermilk is gone. But there is still desire burning in Martha’s heart. It had been five years since she lost her husband and her ability to ride.

Although she needed a walker, Martha could walk now. A great deal of determination, work, and love had gotten her to this point. 

 It was time to get back on a horse and ride again. Five years had been long enough. Martha was up to the new challenge.

Katie make arrangements to take her to an animal rehab farm. They had animals of all kinds, including a horse they called Buttermilk.

Buttermilk was the perfect horse to begin her reintroduction to equestrian life. She had markings and color similar to Martha’s late champion. The horse seemed to be a favorite of children. If children could ride Buttermilk, so could Martha.

Katie helped her mother onto Buttermilk’s saddle and stepped away. The smile Katie witnessed was priceless.

The ride started out slow, then a little faster, Buttermilk raised her head, then her back feet. Martha struggled to stay on. Eventually Buttermilk threw her off.

Perhaps fearing that Martha might be hurt, the farm manager ran to the carousel and turned it off. Martha, though, was laughing uncontrollably. She could not be happier.

It was only a carousel horse, but with Katie’s help, she got back into Buttermilk’s saddle and rode. Martha knew it would be only a matter of time before she would be back riding a real horse again and helping others to become champions.