You knew he could ride, but had you seen him do this?
Maybe if Obama could do that, our country would be in a better state of affairs!
I’ve often heard that other countries referred to Reagan as “The Cowboy” and that his movies, albeit fictional, gave him an edge that caused other countries to fear him more than most presidents.
Truthfully, if our country was run by cowboys, we would be a better country.
Yes, indeedy, Chachie!
I wonder if the horse he was riding was “Nancy,” one of his favorites.
A gazillion years ago when I was a kid I rode at a place in Malibu where “Nancy,” then a dark dappled gray mare, was in training for RR. He was still only an actor then, so it was way before the political stuff. I remember one morning when he came out and rode Nancy on a trail ride with all of us kids.
Nancy, by the way, was a lovely little mare, that most of us adored.
Reagan was never a “cowboy” except in the movies.
He learned to ride with CA National Guard in the mid-30s (along with Jimmy Steward, Henry Fonda, and a bunch of other “luminaries” of the day). They didn’t pay for lessons as their work kept the horses exercised and helped train the corporals and sergeants.
Maybe having to handle and fork a 1000 pound horse that’s not impressed with his status might be a humbling experience for him, and that’s almost never a bad things. 
G.
CLOSE THAT PINKY!!!
Nice pants he he he he
This is not news, but a great example of PR.
RR had always ridden English and he also fox (coyote) hunted. I believe he was a founding member of the West Hills Hunt in CA. But that was sure not talked about, was it?
One of his WH staff wrote a book after RR’s presidency and told how Reagan always, always rode in an English saddle and English breeches. One day they were going to do a photo shoot of him riding, so RR put on his riding clothes. When he walked into the room in his tall boots and breeches his staff went nuts. “NO! you can’t possibly be photographed like that!” They told him it simply would not do, so they got him a Western saddle and jeans, a cowboy hat, Western shirts, even a g-d bandanna to wear and thus the good ol’ cowboy Ronald Reagan was born. It was very effective, as witnessed by all the people who are convinced that GW Bush was a “rancher” because he bought a ranch immediately before running for the Presidency and sold it as soon as he was done.
It’s interesting to note that after 8 years of cowboy Reagan photos, after RR died, one of the first books that came out had as the cover a beautiful photo of Ronnie riding a horse - in English riding clothes with an English saddle. Then, and only then, was the English motif brought back to indicate his “classiness” and “elegance.” But to have him as President in britches & boots and a helmet? God - and the GOP or any political party 
- forbid.
GW still owns that ranch :no::no::no:
[QUOTE=AffirmedHope;7708832]
Nice pants he he he he[/QUOTE]
Back in those days, all breeches and jodhpurs looked like that. Now that I’m old and fat, I kind of wish they still did.
[QUOTE=Anne FS;7708857]One of his WH staff wrote a book after RR’s presidency and told how Reagan always, always rode in an English saddle and English breeches. One day they were going to do a photo shoot of him riding, so RR put on his riding clothes. When he walked into the room in his tall boots and breeches his staff went nuts. “NO! you can’t possibly be photographed like that!” They told him it simply would not do, so they got him a Western saddle and jeans, a cowboy hat, Western shirts, even a g-d bandanna to wear and thus the good ol’ cowboy Ronald Reagan was born. It was very effective, as witnessed by all the people who are convinced that GW Bush was a “rancher” because he bought a ranch immediately before running for the Presidency and sold it as soon as he was done.
It’s interesting to note that after 8 years of cowboy Reagan photos, after RR died, one of the first books that came out had as the cover a beautiful photo of Ronnie riding a horse - in English riding clothes with an English saddle. Then, and only then, was the English motif brought back to indicate his “classiness” and “elegance.” But to have him as President in britches & boots and a helmet? God - and the GOP or any political party - forbid.[/QUOTE]
Not entirely accurate. There are plenty of pictures of RR during his terms as president in which he is riding English. Nancy usually rode in a western saddle, I think, but RR typically rode English. And, there are also plenty of pics of RR at his ranch wearing dungarees, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat that pre-date his presidency.
And, as Arizona DQ pointed out, GW still owns the ranch.
What would George Morris say? (sorry I couldn’t resist).
I couldn’t resist commenting on what a gentle, absolutely wonderful expression that horse has…
Thanks for posting, I could use a smile today!
[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7709046]
I couldn’t resist commenting on what a gentle, absolutely wonderful expression that horse has…[/QUOTE]
He reminds me of a horse I rode in Virginia, a heavy old grayed-out TB, been-there done-that, jumped anything you’d point him at.
And most of the pictures I’ve ever seen of Reagan, he was wearing English boots. IIRC they used his own boots and tack for the caparisoned horse at his funeral.
[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7709046]
I couldn’t resist commenting on what a gentle, absolutely wonderful expression that horse has…[/QUOTE]
Agree! Plus the very soft hands and good position RR had.
[QUOTE=Guilherme;7708824]
Reagan was never a “cowboy” except in the movies.
He learned to ride with CA National Guard in the mid-30s (along with Jimmy Steward, Henry Fonda, and a bunch of other “luminaries” of the day). They didn’t pay for lessons as their work kept the horses exercised and helped train the corporals and sergeants.
Maybe having to handle and fork a 1000 pound horse that’s not impressed with his status might be a humbling experience for him, and that’s almost never a bad things.
G.[/QUOTE]
The SS attached to him had to learn to ride and ride well to stay with him, that is until Alzheimer forced him to stop. Plus they rode with him long after NR stopped riding or riding as often.
IIRC - the SS agents noted RR preferred to groom and tack both his and NR’s (when she rode) horses before the rides. Plus he cared for the horse(s) after the ride. Which meant the SS agents had to be more hands on and not just show up to "go ride the Pres and/or ex-Pres.
[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;7708915]
Back in those days, all breeches and jodhpurs looked like that. Now that I’m old and fat, I kind of wish they still did.
Not entirely accurate. There are plenty of pictures of RR during his terms as president in which he is riding English. Nancy usually rode in a western saddle, I think, but RR typically rode English. And, there are also plenty of pics of RR at his ranch wearing dungarees, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat that pre-date his presidency.
And, as Arizona DQ pointed out, GW still owns the ranch.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for posting this.
He still owns it? Nice. Does he still go and “clear brush”? Nope. Are the rented cattle still there? The rancher who supplied the 200 cattle took them away, but left 4 for ambiance.
And I guess Reagan’s press secretary was lying about the photo shoot in CA. Of course he wore britches when he rode with the Queen.
Sorry, but the maneuvering is appalling. Not the misleading so much, but the fact that people continually fall for it. I know that the Crawford ranch house was finished just at the election (whew!) - the place was a pig farm before Bush bought it, hence the need to rent the cattle & build a house - and had a neat passive solar system for energy. Funny how that was never brought up either. Remember when John Kerry went windsurfing, how he was mocked? Why shouldn’t he windsurf? Why shouldn’t Reagan foxhunt? Why shouldn’t Bush have been proud of the fact that he spent most of his childhood in Kennebunkport, ME, and attended an Ivy League school? When grown he & his wife and children spent their entire summers there for years - until he ran for the Presidency. Then they had to go to the “ranch” and “clear brush.” It’s ridiculous that voters are so stupid.
[QUOTE=Chachie;7708113]
Truthfully, if our country was run by cowboys, we would be a better country.[/QUOTE]
The only two professions where inexperience is considered a virtue are politics and prostitution. :sigh:
The country would be no better off if cowboys ran it than would cows if politicians suddenly became their caretakers.
I can’t say I thought Mr. Reagan was a good president, but I have to admit he sure looked good doing it. Our last president who could really ride. Wonder what our chances are of having another?
Love Reagan- Thanks for sharing.
[QUOTE=Anne FS;7709302]
And I guess Reagan’s press secretary was lying about the photo shoot in CA. [/QUOTE]
No, I’m sure he was telling the truth. But in addition to that statement, you also said:
It’s interesting to note that after 8 years of cowboy Reagan photos, after RR died, one of the first books that came out had as the cover a beautiful photo of Ronnie riding a horse - in English riding clothes with an English saddle. Then, and only then, was the English motif brought back to indicate his “classiness” and “elegance.” But to have him as President in britches & boots and a helmet? God - and the GOP or any political party - forbid.
That last part is absolutely not true, as a simple Google image search will reveal.
