Asking Why In The Eye Of The Storm
Equi-Ads England & Wales, July 2001

In previous issues we have read of how Kuchina Johnson built working relationships with her horses which later thrilled audiences around the country. This month we hear about mysterious "Storm".

My next equine partner was Storm. He was the only horse that made me question why I did what I did. The only word to describe him is captivating. Storm was as black as the night and just as mysterious. My dad backed him at five years and, although this seems a bit late, we believe that these things should not be rushed. Every year when he came in from the fields Pops would advise that he be turned back out again as he was still growing. When the fifth year came and Storm started training he was a handful to say the least. We rode him for short sessions every day for eight months. Then he was handed over to me with the warning to think carefully before asking anything of him as he "Didn't suffer fools gladly."

I was soon to learn what that meant for, the time I made a mistake he made me pay for it by bucking, spinning, backing up at great speed while squealing with delight at the fact he was smarter, faster and sharper than any human. But give him his due, when I rode him like a military operation he was an ideal charge. Storm was trained to work with a border collie called Dan. We practiced until near perfect and set off to a show in Dorset. It was for this performance that the name "Comrades" was conjured – a display of horse, rider and dog working as one.

The season went well and the following year the display was fully booked. One booking, at the Newbury Show, was just 28 days after my second child was born. This meant being back on Storm after 21 days. When I rode into the arena Storm felt even stronger than I remembered he could be. He and Dan gave a faultless performance but, as we were making our way back to the box Storm threw the fit of all fits. Leaping high in the air, he threw himself from one side to the other. He went on to buck for what seamed to be an eternity. Don't ask me how, (luck I guess) but I stayed put and he finally stopped to my great relief.

When I dismounted my father sensed my frustration and in way of explanation said that he was happy, healthy and wanted me and everyone else to know it. Then he added, "Anyway if it was easy everyone would be doing it!"

I did not utter a word but withdrew to the living quarters of our box and slumped down not knowing what to say except maybe, "Why?". Just as I was beginning to question things a knock came to the door and a group of bright-eyed children stood smiling up at me asking if they could stroke my lovely horse and dog. Well, what could I say? That was the one and only time I ever asked, "Why?"

Be back soon, Kuchina.