Today we loaded up and headed down to Manti for the BLM adoption at the Sanpete County Fair. Herc loaded up like a champ and rode beautifully for the 2½ hour drive. Once we arrived and got settled in Dona Bastian (BLM) told us that Aces Wild (our all wild horse & burro drill team) had been asked to ride in the Grand Entry of the rodeo. We were not expecting this and so the rest of our drill team would not be arriving until Saturday afternoon for the parade. I guess Hercules would get his introduction to the “public scene” a little early.
I thought it would be best to lead Herc out through the arena before the rodeo so he could see where we were going to be and at least be a little familiar with his surroundings without all the excitement. So off we went. His only concern was where Ladybug was at. So we went back to adoption to hang out until it was time to ride.
The grand entry was set for 7:45 so we started getting everyone ready about 7:00. When we arrived we were told we had to go through an alley way by the “rough-stock” to the other end of the arena and we would be behind the various royalties. Herc handled it all like a champ his only concern was when we entered the arena and he saw the royalty loping past him with the flags he wanted to go too. Once I got him settled from that he rode around with the drill team like it was no big deal. Even the clapping and waving didn’t bother him. He is definitely ready to ride with Aces Wild in the Sanpete County parade tomorrow.