Our neighbor, Percy Ware, was really interested in saddle horses, and he soon convinced us that we should be interested in the same thing.
I accompanied him to Eastern Oklahoma where I purchased a young Strawberry Roan. This horse was strong, with plenty of energy -- so we called him Zipper. Glenda decided this was a good horse for her. Then we had to get Jan a steed to ride. We attended a rodeo at a neighboring town, where we located a horse, saddle, bridle, stirrup shields - everything for Jan. He was solid coal black, so he was named Midnight. We were a little disappointed in Midnight, and Jan never did get into "rodeoing" as a result.
There was quite a time space between Jan, Glenda and Kay; however, as soon as Kay was big enough to ride, we purchased Tona -- a small buckskin. Kay was hardly big enough to ride, but she rode in the parades and "Grand Entries" anyway.
During a space of about ten years, the family attended many rodeos in many towns. Glenda purchased another horse called Ginger. Between Ginger and Zipper, she competed in barrel racing at the rodeos. Mother, the girls and I were always interested spectators.
Kay's horse Tona developed into a splendid riding animal, and I used her very much, as long as I was on the farm. At our farm sale, Percy Ware bought her and kept her as long as she lived.
Our riding gradually came to a close, as Glenda married, Jan finished her college work, and Kay started her college work. Her marriage delayed her finishing for some time, but she eventually completed her degree.
Charley Martin is one of our families best story tellers. We are very grateful that he also liked to put his stories in writing. Charley was the son of George Washington & Emma Lillian (Dolby) Martin of Jackson Oklahoma.
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