The Thunder Of Hooves
Last weekend, a friend surprised me with tickets to a polo match up in Santa Barbara. Now, as much time as I’ve spent with horses, training and show jumping them, I’ve never been to a polo match. So I donned my nicest hat, and joined my friend at the match.
I learned that the game is so demanding, each polo player has to “change horses” 3 or 4 times during a match. These ponies are constantly turning on a dime and galloping at breakneck speed – they love the frenzied pace of the game.
Sitting on the edge of the field, I could feel the thunder of hooves as the horses galloped by (I snapped that action-photo with my iPhone)! After the match, and back at the stables, I breathed in lathered leather, the scent of oat hay, and yes… I had a chance to nuzzle the muzzle of my favorite pony.
It was the best of all days for this happy horsewoman! On the drive back home, we talked about the Bible’s description of the horse in Job 39:19-25, “Do you give the horse it’s strength or clothe it’s neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray. It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from [the polo mallet]… in frenzied excitement it eats up the ground… it catches the scent of [the match] from afar.” Yes, God created these beautiful, magnificent animals, and although my “saddle” is now a wheelchair, I still enjoy drawing horses.
In fact, I sent a framed print of my painting “Run with Endurance” to the friend who provided the tickets – it was just my way of saying thanks (if you’re interested in this special print, visit our online store!
Looking back, I have to admit that although I enjoyed my day among the horses, I am totally content just watching them, rather than riding. I know that’s God’s will for me right now.
But it won’t always be like that, for there is coming a time when, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True… and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses” (Revelation 19:11,14).
Yes, soon, we will join our King of Kings in one last, final victory-on-horseback against all evil. Satan will be no match against our Lord and us, and the new heavens and new earth will have arrived! But if I’m permitted, if I can have just one request… I want my horse to gallop at breakneck speed and turn on a dime!
–Joni Eareckson Tada
Run With Endurance Art Print
This bold painting by Joni Eareckson Tada captures God’s gift of power and majesty with the horse, reminding the viewer to “…Run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
