 Parade in Shelton Love A Parade I reminisce about the young Majo and his early parade days. As a youngster he entered numerous small town parades. The towns of Shelton, Port Townsend, and Gig Harbor all saw him cantor down Main Street. My favorite each year was a parade that occurred in mid summer on a Saturday evening, the Port Orchard parade. For this parade you had all day to prepare without rushing, and then ride in the early evening through a picturesque seaside town. Everyone was in a good mood because it was Saturday night, it was summer, and it was time for festivity. Aside from a very small parade in Allyn, Washington, the Port Orchard event would be my first real parade! I was a bit concerned at going it alone the first time out. I asked to be part of the local saddle club group of equestrians. I was informed by the club that Majo lacked proper experience to handle a parade. It was politely suggested that if I learn to ride with Majo’s head pulled back, then I might be sufficiently skilled to join the elite group in a parade. I must learn to hold his head back and gain control. This was advice given to me numerous times, but advice from people who seemed to find more fault with horses then pleasure. So Majo, who had only been in one parade before, entered the parade in Port Townsend as a solo act. That first evening my boy was a bit on edge during the parade lineup. There were numerous equestrian entries and I was about to find out if Majo would settle down and show his true demeanor to the community. And Majo did not disappoint me. When we "came on stage" I could feel this fellow completely relax under me. I almost heard him say "my public awaits me" as we turned the corner and entered the parade route. After realizing this stallion was having a good time, by the time we reached the camera, I let the reins lie on Majo’s neck as we cantered down Main Street. I was sure that would interest the crowd a tad more then seeing his head pulled tight. No others were cantering, only this young stallion. People were cheering and the more they cheered, the more Majo grabbed the limelight. That evening, Majo got the Best Equestrian trophy for the Port Orchard Festival! The people on the parade sidelines identified with this grey stallion and cheered for him, as he gracefully wooed the crowed with his beauty and style. Majo entered the Port Orchard Parade for 3 years, and he had two first places and a second. Cantering on Main street was his signature. He did it with irresistible charm and grace! While he was always a bit tense in the lineup, he was at home in the parade route. I guess he had pre-stage jitters. Those evenings in Port Orchard parading down Main Street are a very special memory. It was just a small parade on a breezy summer evening, but Majo proved that he had what the people loved when his head was free to put it where he wanted. Those evenings were almost as good as the rides on the beaches of the Washington Coast. Fond memories of special times with my young Majo go back to Washington State. So when my body wears out and my soul passes on to the other world, I shall have a quick and decisive measure of my whereabouts in the new place. If I find myself mounted on a fabulous grey stallion, riding in a parade or through an ocean breeze, and I spot a golden mutt running at our side, then for sure I have passed through the right door and the kingdom of heaven does indeed exist. For as hard as I try, I cannot imagine a grander afterlife!  Parade in Charlottesville Comming soon: " What is your Pig Policy? " |
