Azure skies and light, cooling breezes made for an ideal horse ride for mother and daughter, on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The Editor followed them north on Jackson Street to her home on Hazel Road and engaged the women. Bill VanBuren listened to the interview.
Gwen Emmert, left, is a Morrison High School graduate who now lives in Delmar, IA. She is the mother of Monica Carpenter, right. Emmert’s American Quarter Horse, Zena, is 13 years old. A blue and orange collapsible bucket is used to water her horse. The pair stopped at CarQuest-Morrison Auto Supply, 502 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, to obtain water for their animals.
While in that parking area, Emmert and Carpenter, Morrison, stopped for lunch at Subway, 412 E. Lincolnway Road. When asked, “Where did you tie the horses?,” Monica answered, “She [Gwen] held them.” The question that was not asked is, Did you eat/drink on horseback or stop somewhere, before heading north on Jackson Street?
Carpenter lives on Round Grove Road, the onset of the ride. Her American Quarter Horse is Rusty, a five-year-old. She stated, “We went to the schools,” but they missed seeing children outside.
The women continued side by side, walking their mounts slowly, in no hurry to end a pleasant ride or conversation.
