I think that Babe Ruth had it right when he said “Heros get remembered but legends never die.” While unfortunate today we lost Clark Parker in true legend status I don’t think he will ever truly die. He made everyone’s life that he came contact with a little better.
Clark has always been bigger than life and one of my favorite parts of the AQHA World Show. If you ever got to witness one of our interactions you probably got a laugh or two from our constant bickering, picking on one another (he did more picking than me, such as him and Tracy never letting me live down the fact that during our first world show I wore jeans that were way too short one day!) and begging him to honk the horn of the golf cart but their was a lot more.
My favorite moments that will stay with me forever are the real talks we had in the golf cart. I loved sitting in the golf cart and just talking with Clark. He would always want to watch videos of the broncs we had bucked, give me some life and marriage advice and then best of all I would tell him my dreams and he would advice me on the steps to take to get to that huge dream and goal. I was looking forward to telling him I had checked a huge part off that list when I dropped Pickles off with the trainer last week but I’m comforted in knowing he’s probably checking in and watching from above.
He taught me some great life lessons in the short few years that I was able to meet him. One of my favorites was the first year I worked the World Show. I was already a little star struck getting to work with the likes of Mr. Clark Parker, Tracy Willis, Jeff Allen and the list goes on. Because, fun fact at most majors the people working them have actually been there and done that extremely well. But I was sitting next to Clark when I spotted Bob Avila. I told Clark about how I would watch Bob’s training videos over and over again and getting to meet him would be even better than a “Swifty” gettting to meet Taylor Swift! He said he was good friends with him and that he was a great guy, so I asked if he would introduce him to me! He said he would but he would do it in a way that would make me super embarrassed and considering he was already making fun of my short jeans, I didn’t want to take any chances. I marched over there and introduced myself. It was alittle ackward but he was extremely nice and I got to meet yet another person that I had read about in magazines all my life. When I got back to Clark later he asked how it went and told me to remember the people I’ve read about winning the things I’ve dreamed of are the same as us (which I mean I knew they were like him cause he was literally one of them but wasn’t so convinced they were like me.) He told me to learn what I can from my hero’s but to remember they put their pants on just like me and to not let them walk all over me, even if I’m “just the gate girl.” Those words of wisdom have served me well and I credit them for the success I have had working shows. It also allowed me to become friends with people I thought I would only ever read about and definitely not have them know my name! I owe him alot for that lesson and it was just one of many I was able to recieve from Clark.
This last World Show was a little harder for our horse show working family. (Y’all we really become like a family, we spend ALOT of time together and were all working for one goal, a great horse show. We all love it and the people we work with because you seriously couldn’t make it the weeks at a time if you didn’t. ) Clark wasn’t doing great and we were all worried about him. He didn’t make it to the show everyday and unfortunately had to go home sooner than we would have liked. But when Clark was at the show, while definately not feeling well he still flashed that big mischievous smile, opened the door like a gentleman, joked around, gave a lot of good advice and was EVERYONES biggest cheerleader.
While reading through a lot of my friends post the commen theme was that Clark always took time out of his day to actaully ask and listen to what was going on in everyone’s lives. He gave the best congratulations and when things didn’t go well he helped ya feel better and ready to get them the next time.
While the horse world is morning the big loss of such an icon I hope that the Legend of Clark is remembered and passed on. I hope that we can all try and be a little more like Clark, cheering one another on and sharing wisdom to those that need it.
It’s going to be hard working the AQHA World Show without him. I know alot of us have never know a World Show without him. I think the Roping will be the hardest, it was one of his favorite events. We will all have to enjoy some Coconut Shrimp at Trappers to remember him with.
I’m gonna miss ya Clarky! I know your up there having a hell of a reunion with all the other legends that got there before . Heck y’all are probably roping! Oh and I’m sure its rodent free or I at least hope it is! (The ONLY thing Mr. Parker was truly afraid of…)
Ranch Wife Ramblings 