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Just about everyone at Wild Horse Workshop '98 remembers Riley, the
big black 2 year old gelding, number 0911. We nicknamed the horse
9-1-1 at the adoption and the Wild Horse Mentors purchased him and
presented him to the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard at
Ft. Riley, KS. (See the companion feature,
Ft. Riley Adopts "Riley".)
Riley was offered on the Saturday morning adoption. Sgt. Atwood worked Riley
that morning and a little that afternoon. He could approach Riley, tie a halter
on him and lead him. By the following Sunday morning, Sgt. Atwood was able
to lead Riley into a 4-horse trailer. He didn't need a loading chute.
Ft. Riley sent a transport to pick up the Sgt. and Riley, but they needed
a place to stay for a couple of days. We made arrangements for them to be
put up at the Brentwood Oaks Equestrian Center. We delivered Riley right in
the middle of a horse show and the big horse, while curious about the goings on,
walked quietly to his stall.
This was going to be tough duty for the Sgt. After short training sessions with Riley, the Sgt. had to choose between the
sauna, hot tub, swimming pool or accept someone's offer to run into town for
Mexican food or pizza. When the army transport encountered mechanical
problems outside Ely, Nevada, the Sgt. had to brace himself up for a slightly
prolonged stay.
Sgt. Atwood used his time well. He continued Riley's instruction and by Monday afternoon
was riding him in the round corral. Eventually the army transport arrived and
Riley and the Sgt. left for Ft. Riley.
Once at the fort, the various members of the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard,
under the direction of Sgt. Atwood, worked with Riley. The unit was so pleased with
him that they also acquired two other BLM wild horses which they named Trooper and
Chief-III. ("Chief" was the name of the last of the original cavalry horses.)
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"Riley" in the BLM Adoption Pen
Sgt. Atwood and Riley
The Sgt's temporary encampment was
primitive and fraught with hardship
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