Profile November 8, 1993 Issue

Expressing the completeness of God's idea

John Hueffner with contributions from Mary Jo Milner

Many lament the passing of the old West, and western life has left indelible images on both American literature and the imagination of its people. Of course, horses have been an integral part of life on the range, but many people are unaware of how one aspect of horseback riding, called cutting, is being practiced today in a way that could be considered almost an art form. "Cutting" refers to a horse and rider separating and keeping an individual cow from the rest of the herd. In the West, there are national cutting horse shows, which are divided into professional and nonprofessional categories, with men and women in competition together. The competition involves no roping or handling of the cow, and the activity demands a special kind of understanding and unity between horse and rider. It is a task that requires much skill and is considerably more difficult than it may seem to an observer.

The following is an interview with Mary Jo Milner, a Christian Scientist, a Texan, and one who competes in cutting horse shows. She is the mother of two, a grandmother of two, and has been a world-champion cutting horse rider twice. Mary Jo talks with John Hueffner, a contributing editor for the Sentinel, and tells how prayer has been especially helpful to her as a rider and how she has been healed through Christian Science.

Mary Jo, in cutting horse competition there appear to be so many uncontrollable elements—the cow, the herd, the horse, the judges, your competitors, the crowd—how do you prepare for a cutting horse show? A month before a show begins I physically prepare myself and the horse by riding every day. At the cutting show I ride between two and six hours before performing, depending upon the need. During this time I am also preparing through prayer. I pray, I sing hymns. Hymns lift my thought to spiritual perspectives and right ideas about God and His creation. Horses respond to the hymns, and they never seem to mind if the tune is off-key! I become more aware of God as the one Mind. By acknowledging divine intelligence, I gain a sense that I am about my Father's business, and I pray to understand better what it means to do God's will and glorify Him. I try to maintain the acknowledgment of one infinite God, good, in control and recognize that this control extends to horse, cow, and to every expression of God that is present. As it gets closer to the time for my performance, I listen to be intuitive—about whether more preparation is necessary in riding my horse, or in preparation of the atmosphere of thought. This is generally when I find it most important to get self out of the way and destroy any sense of fear or the pressure of personal competition. The Bible's words "Perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18) have always proved appropriate in removing fear by rooting out its cause—the personal sense of ego, pride, or selfishness.