71 And Cyclone

A HORSE STORY:

We met in the mid-50s at a horse sale. She came to me, and I went to her. I was told she was a “Tennessee Walker” (which meant nothing to me) and about seven years old. I knew nothing about horses, but seemingly, she called out to me to bring her to Purple Sage Day Camp.  I didn’t realize then that she was carrying a yet-to-be-born filly.

She had a big “71” blazoned on her thigh, so that’s what we called her. She was also difficult to ride, but with me, she was gentle, willing, and able. She made it clear that I was whom she wanted on her back, and we became a twosome. Thus she became known as “Sy’s horse.” I rode her often when I wanted to visit groups located everywhere around the forest at Purple Sage. Campers and staff became accustomed to having this big horse and me paying them a visit. How did a kid from Chicago who knows nothing about horses get so lucky? 

So, the day came when 71 had her filly. A beautiful little pony that the kids at camp named: “Sy-the-clown” or Cyclone. She became the camp pet and knew she was. She was undoubtedly one of the gentlest and brightest animals we ever met. Cyclone was like a dog with kids and staff and always wanted to be around them. And if not given attention, she would ask for it by getting into the center of things and nuzzling kids and staff to pay her some attention. When we left Purple Sage at Malibu Canyon for Camp Shasta in the wilderness of Northern California, we took Cyclone with us. Imagine this picture:  Lenette and me, Heidi, Brutus, Cleo, and her kittens, riding in our pick-up, hauling a large Trailer, a small sailboat, and a horse Trailer with Cyclone inside. We were the Israelites heading into the wilderness and freedom. When we stopped for a break, we would take them all for a walk around a darkened street. Needless to say, any who saw this odd parade stopped in their tracks!  Amazing what young but responsible idiots will and often must do. Sy

Haiku: A puppy horse—was Cyclone our gift of a horse—She gave us such joy.

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows View all posts by Sy Ogulnick