This story requires it\u2019s own segment. \u00a0It\u2019s about our first time Versatility Announcer, Vic Rowden and me. \u00a0It\u2019s quite a story.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
During the past several years at the Futerity\/Spring Show and World Celebration, I had a part in the photography\u00a0of the\u00a0two winners of most every class. \u00a0I became the photographer \u201cEar Pricker\u201d. \u00a0The winning champion and their owners, friends, trainers relatives, beautiful young ladies in prom dresses, and prizes\u00a0stand for a once in a lifetime photograph. \u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0imperative\u00a0that the horse look the\u00a0best, which means their ears,\u00a0need to be forward. \u00a0Ears forward means the horse is curious or happy which is tough in the midst of a clapping cheering crowd, organ music, announcer talking, speakers overhead, and people all over the place. \u00a0After a lot of effort on the part of the horse going around the arena many times, the horse is also tired. \u00a0It takes a special skill to get the horse interested or curious enough to put their ears forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The first\u00a0year for me, the photographer\u00a0supplied the\u00a0\u201cear pricking\u201d\u00a0toys.\u00a0\u00a0One of the toys was a small squeaky dog toy.\u00a0\u00a0The squeaky toy became my\u00a0final\u00a0option\u00a0to get the ears forward.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSqueak Squeak\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When every class was called into the center to line up for the judges, I walked out and got ready for my \u201cpricker job\u201d. \u00a0Vic and Alice Rowden had box seats on my side of the arena. \u00a0I had to walk by them,\u00a0every time, every class. \u00a0On my return to my seat, occasionally Vic talked to me about my \u201cjob\u201d. \u00a0I became aware that he had a sense of humor, plus he complimented me on getting those ears up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
About the second year, I became comfortable with my role. \u00a0I started to squeak occasionally when I walked by the Rowden\u2019s box.\u00a0I kept my squeaky toy in my pocket and made it squeak as I sashayed in front of Vic.\u00a0I tried to surprise\u00a0Vic. \u00a0I tried to make Vic lose his concentration on the horses in the arena. \u00a0I tried to make Vic jump.\u00a0I always failed, but occasionally Vic would laugh at my subtle squeaking. This went on for perhaps three years, with the two shows each year. That equals a lot of squeaking!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Vic got his revenge this year during his announcer duty. \u00a0We were lined up in the arena waiting for Vic to call out the winners. \u00a0My number, Fancy\u2019s name and my name was announced\u00a0for fifth in Western Pleasure. \u00a0I screamed and got my ribbon\u00a0and tried to canter out of the arena. \u00a0(Fancy is against cantering out of the arena with a screaming rider.) As\u00a0the last rider\u00a0was exiting\u00a0the arena, Vic told the crowd that\u00a0Susan Engle\u00a0had recently graduated from Squeak University. \u00a0I just barely caught the\u00a0\u201cs\u201d\u00a0word. \u00a0I didn\u2019t hear the full word. \u00a0Everyone looked at me with question eyebrows. \u00a0I had no idea what Vic was saying. \u00a0I recently graduated from what!?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Then Vic explained that I was a graduate of Squeak University and could be\u00a0found in\u00a0the performance arena with the winning horses. \u00a0Suddenly, it all became clear. \u00a0This was Vic\u2019s way of complimenting me again and bringing attention to me. \u00a0You all know how shy I am and try to avoid attention! \u00a0\u00a0Ha!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Thus, I have\u00a0now fallen in love with Vic. \u00a0He\u2019s even in the running for #1 Senior Announcer Boyfriend!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n