Beth and Ethan

Boys competed eagerly for places in the Cady Stanton Riding Program.  Freshmen and sophomores, called bugs, wore drab gray uniforms and worked under the supervision of the Bug Mother and her assistants.  At the end of their sophomore year, the bugs were assessed for size and conditioning by the Program Director, Bug Mother, and the senior jockeys.  Most were rejected. Each year a eight or ten are found large and strong enough to serve as possible mounts.  They were sent to learn about tack and saddles at an intense summer program under the direction of experienced riders and in the Fall, are assigned to a trainer. Ethan’s mother was deeply interesting in racing and his house was filled with racing souvenirs and paraphernalia.  No one was surprised when Ethan tried out for the Riding program.  He was known as a hard worker but a mount needed adequate size to carry a rider.  Many were surprised by the growth spurt at the end of his Freshman year and his qualifications were obvious at the end of his Sophomore year.  His mother had chosen her sperm donor wisely.  That summer, he learned to bear a Pony’s saddle, bridle, and control rods.    He was worked hard by the experienced equestriennes.  He quickly gained strength and stamina to match his great heart. Ethan wore the blue and gold Suffragette colors when Beth, a new freshman, first saw him.  He stood proudly in his tack and saddle.  Sheridan, a senior girl, ordered him down and he dropped smartly to one [...]