Ord, The Equestrian

Stirling, Scotland is full of stories. Pick a time period, open your heart, and find yourself in a place that is full of voices.
Today, we visit Stirling in the early 1800s. Excitement is in the air as the townspeople hear, “Ord is to be here next week!”
A great circus was to bring the people of Stirling to the valley. People would come to see if the rings had been set up not wanting to miss a chance to see the event from start to finish. Amateur riders showed of skills to one another while waiting for the circus to arrive and set up.
By the time the circus did arrive, the crowd was so thick and had so many would-be helpers, the men hardly had room to work.
And what a show it was. Unlike any other. Every nook and corner of the valley had entertainment to see. Clowns stumbled and tumbled about while the ringmaster’s voice announced the performers. Lady riders as well as men performed trick riding, racing the horses, showing off powerful skills. Trapeze artist performed works of wonder through the sky. All of this was in the open air and free of charge.
Towards the end of the show, up in the audience, a loud commotion could be heard. An older looking gentleman, very heavy in the cups, could be seen stumbling about the crowd. The drunk forced his way into the ring. The sloppy, big fellow of a man, said loudly, “ I can ride a horse just as well as these fellows can!”
Stumbling in and out of the ring, the drunk continued his boast. The clowns noticed him. The clowns wouldn’t dare, would they?
The clowns circled and poked fun at the drunkard. Into the center ring they would pull him, and place him on a horse. Oh, no. A drunk on a horse.
Mind you. This is a big man. And way up in his cups. After several attempts by the clowns to get the man on the horse, remember, he’s tipsy, he finally is up, wraps his arms about the neck of the horse and rides trying not to fall off.
The crowd laughs and the clowns continue making sport of the man.
But wait. The drunk rider is regaining his balance. He pulls a cord on his clothes as he speeds his horse around the arena. His clothes fly off! Instead of a drunk rider, we have a strong skilled one who stands upon the back of the horse, dressed as Sir William Wallace.
He wasn’t always this character. Sometimes he was Joan of Arc, a sailor, a fishwife, or any other number of characters.
During the show, tickets for a lottery were sold, so that at the end of the show one might when a number of prizes. The prizes could range from a gold watch to a boll of oatmeal.
When darkness fell, fire-works filled the sky. What a wonderful time to be in Stirling, Scotland.

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