As a writer, I have often had many ideas spilling from my imagination like a cascading waterfall. I pick through them seeing which ones produce the most passion inside my soul and which seem to be the most solid to make a believable story. Sometimes I might combine two different ideas bringing together the flesh and blood needed together to create the characters and their world. My greatest passion, as most who read this blog know, is the horse. My other greatest passion lies in Japanese anime and culture. For years I have often wondered how I would combine these two passions in my writing, but nothing ever seemed to come to my mind.
Well that all changed after I went to Equine Affaire in 2010. I have been attending this event for the past four years, and I relish in being able to see breeds that I do not see in my daily life including: Andalusians, Gypsies, Nokotas and Lipizzaners. This past year it dawned on me all the horses in the breed Pavilion were European and American breeds. Where were the breeds of Asia? Surely, horses have influenced cultures all over the world, not just in the West. So that's when I began researching about the different native breeds in Japan, which I have never once see in any breed book, although I own several different ones. I was sad to find out that the numbers for the native breeds were low, although I was not without hope with the rise of the Noma breed from 27 to 84 over the past twenty years.
I knew then what I wanted to do. For the past three years I have known that I want to go teach English in Japan so that I can experience the culture firsthand. I have a desire to experience many different cultures, but Japan has always been on the top of my list. So, why should I not experience the horse culture there? Why should I not delve into the majesty of the horse no matter where I go? Why not write about the horses of Japan into a novel? I want to know about all the horses there now: native breeds, therapeutic centers and the Thoroughbreds. It was a horse that recently brought hope to many Japanese horse racing fans. Victoire Pisa won the Dubai World Cup on March 26, 2011.
For many years I did not watch horse racing as the reports of Thoroughbreds slaughtered in the states haunted me. However, now I am reminded of the positive side of the racing track. Horses such as Seabiscuit, Funny Cide, and Barbaro reminded thousands if not millions of equine enthusiast what true strength and courage really is. I have followed their stories and many famous equine novels feature horse racing. My own novel, My Kingdom for a Horse, highlights a horse race in the climax. So, have I not denied myself the joys that do exist in horse racing?
The Kentucky Derby takes place on May 7. I plan on watching the program for the first time in perhaps 10 years and I am looking forward to it. The only thing that could make it better was if I was watching it in person and not on the television.
