A Dashing Dash through 1846
Hello, my dearest equine friends! Emma here, a dashing grey draught mare with a heart full of oats and a love for all things horses. This is my 1846 post, and it’s about to whisk you back in time to a year brimming with excitement and change! I’m galloping into the past once again, this time focusing on my own special year, the year I turned 20. It was a grand time for the horse world, full of adventure and advancement!
You see, my story began in Hayfield, just a stone’s throw from bustling Aberdeen in Scotland. As you’d guess from my name, my life began on a beautiful farm amongst hayfields. I was lucky, you know. Born strong and healthy with a gentle heart, I quickly gained the attention of the kind old blacksmith, Mr. MacGregor.
A Life on the Road
Mr. MacGregor’s family had been using their sturdy horses to haul supplies from the city to surrounding towns and villages for generations, But as my beautiful coat shone in the morning sun, Mr. MacGregor decided I was something special. I was fast, powerful, and so calm I was trusted to pull their small carriage carrying their two daughters around on the quieter roads.
What a life that was! I loved those first few years, taking a turn to pull the cart of their young daughter Agnes and her pony. The cobblestones of Aberdeen vibrated beneath my hooves as we trotted along the High Street. The town was bustling with traders, shoppers, and coachmen in their bright coats.
On The High Street
Oh, those carriages! So many beautiful beasts pulling sleek vehicles. Sleek tandems pulling smart cabriolets! You know how I’ve always had a soft spot for carriage horses. Seeing them in such elegant carriages, sleek coats shimmering in the sunlight - truly majestic. Agnes told me tales of famous coachmen and dashing steeds who travelled through Aberdeen, tales of high-flying stunts and impressive racing feats that filled my dreams with longing for adventure.
She talked of those wonderful coach horses who powered long stagecoach journeys through all weather, their power and strength a wonder to behold. Every time a carriage would pass, I'd feel a powerful, inexplicable urge to join their ranks!
Agnes always laughed when she heard me yearning to escape Hayfield and go travelling. ‘Don’t worry Emma, the city is not for all horses,’ she said. ‘You are a true workhorse, destined for greatness, I believe. Just wait, I have big plans for you’.
Life with Mr. MacGregor's daughters
Well, you know, girls, life wasn't all about chasing adventure, though. As the weeks and months drifted by, I grew fond of those two sweet girls, Agnes and Mary. Mary, the elder daughter, was quiet and reserved. But when I carried her, we often walked in silence. A special bond grew between us as she leaned against my back, smelling of lavender and whispering quiet thoughts, like a small wind rusting through the reeds.
She loved nature. Her tiny hands, gentle as dandelion seeds, brushed against my ears, and her hair brushed against my side as she would ride with me in her cart. And as for Agnes...she was all giggles and chat, her quick tongue full of silly stories and tales of adventure, her eyes dancing with mirth. We became a team. The three of us.
A Special Talent
Agnes loved racing. You wouldn’t think a young girl with such dainty hands could have such a strong love of horse racing. Yet she spent hours learning about horses. The different breeds and their strengths and weaknesses. And she loved to train.
One summer, we took a trip down to Hayfield Fair, a vibrant affair with bustling crowds, delicious food smells, and laughter echoing across the green. Agnes, a tiny human in a large crowd, got separated from Mary and their dad. She found her way, terrified and alone, to me! And what a day for me! That day at the Fair, as the sun streamed onto Hayfield’s meadows, I was truly needed.
I am a big mare. I am strong. You can rely on me, trust me with your life, if needed. So, as Agnes rushed towards me with a heart thumping with panic, I sensed what was to be done. I could feel, in that moment, that she had found a place, a job in the world that would make her happy, as my own steady heart raced in excitement.
As the little girl held onto my neck with trembling hands, I understood, in an instant, my purpose in the world.
She had spotted a notice announcing a competition. A chariot race, she explained excitedly. The competition would test the strength of both the driver and the horse! "I have to do it," she gasped, "with you, Emma, you'll help me. We're a team." And, like a gentle river flowing towards the sea, we embarked on a new, exhilarating adventure.
The Thrill of the Competition
The next few days were filled with the exhilarating buzz of preparation! Agnes practiced every moment she had free, weaving a harness around me, the smooth leather smelling like polished wood, feeling snug and warm. We raced in a tiny chariot. Agnes, the smallest, littlest driver. It felt like magic. Agnes became my teacher. With my powerful strides and her expert direction, I knew our fate was tied together.
Her eyes shone with an indomitable spirit, the very look of a future queen.
I have always been a quiet, reserved horse, strong and powerful. Agnes, though she appeared so fragile, was also fierce and bold, daring and full of fiery enthusiasm! The energy that shone from her, a powerful glow, was infectious! We trained with ferocious energy. Her fierce, focused determination filled me with fire! Her joy for life, the sparkle in her eye, was intoxicating.
We would run up and down Hayfield’s grassy slopes until the day grew short, our breathing heavy, our limbs ached. But with every sprint, every burst of speed, our teamwork grew, the bond between us became even stronger.
She spent her nights reading dusty racing books. She learned the history of these grand steeds and their powerful achievements. Then, she would climb onto my back, sharing with me what she had discovered about racehorses - Arabians with their famed agility and stamina, thoroughbreds known for their strength and courage. She was as excited by these grand creatures as I was by the idea of exploring new places, and it filled me with a sense of purpose I had not felt before!
A Winning Combination
And it paid off! Agnes was determined, strong-willed and incredibly focused, a force of nature who was always pushing me to give my all. We won. Our chariot, adorned with daisies and vibrant ribbons, came in first. My powerful strides carried us to victory, a triumph fueled by Agnes' determination and a mutual spirit of competition.
But that’s just part of our story! Come back soon for another adventure on EquiWorld. Join me as we delve into more tales of the world of horses, the wonders and surprises of the 1840s! There’s so much more to share! Until next time, remember, even the quietest horse can achieve great things, even the strongest stallion can rely on a small driver's powerful determination!
Happy galloping, everyone.
Your friend, Emma.
