The "Good Old Days" | Rancho Santiago

Redman (AQHA Catch A Rocket) God's gift to a horseman, wonderful friend, and trusted companion. Our son, Jamie, can now ride Redman. Perhaps they can meet us at the rainbow bridge restored in the magnificence of youth to escort us across to go with those who have gone before.
[	Dr. Jim began riding horses by himself at the age of 4 on a park path in Kansas City, Missouri when his Dad was in the Navy. His Dad, Art, rode western style and his mother, Mary Elizabeth, rode English. Thanks folks for passing on the love & heritage of equines. The name of the horse was "B's Midnight" and he was the fastest pony in the string. Granddad Bickley would send pony ride money weekly.
Dr. Jim gained his own appreciation of the strength and stamina of a good mule at 7 years of age. It was great to ride this wonderful jug headed veteran mule in the New Mexico mountains each summer.
[img_assist\|nid=90\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=250\|height=200]	My late brother Rob, aka P. J. Belly, on his Tennessee Walking Horse.
My maternal grandmother, Ola E. Bickley, feeding the chickens over 100 years ago on their family farm near Clovis, New Mexico. My Granddad, James McDonald Bickley came from Tenn. to be superintendent of the Clovis Schools for many years.	[img_assist\|nid=91\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=350\|height=195]
[img_assist\|nid=92\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=178\|height=251]	My paternal grandfather, A. N. "Ott" Gamble.
My paternal grandmother, Edith "Teedie" Gamble.	[img_assist\|nid=93\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=165\|height=250]
[img_assist\|nid=94\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=200\|height=259]	Thank God we get a little smarter as we grow older. I am glad I have turned in my bull riding spurs to raise and ride mules.
James McDonold Bickley is Dr. Jim's maternal grandfather. He was superintendent of the Clovis, New Mexico, schools for many years. Mr. Bickley attended Harvard and is listed the New Mexico Educator's Hall of Fame.	[img_assist\|nid=95\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=168\|height=250]
[img_assist\|nid=96\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=250\|height=182]	Dr. Jim's fraternal grandfather is A. N. "Ott" Gamble. Ott is driving the wagon full of happy party revelers in this photo. Dressing up and going to a party was the big entertainment in those days without movies, TV, and even the radio was scarce.
Our son, Jamie, loved riding horses, the ranch, and mules. James Angus Gamble was killed on Friday the 13th, February 1998. Jamie was 20 years of age.	[img_assist\|nid=97\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=169\|height=250]
[img_assist\|nid=98\|title=\|desc=\|link=none\|align=undefined\|width=225\|height=192]	This tragedy was reported as an "on purpose" act by the truck driver, Lienio F. Desouza, in a truck owned by Arman Takayan of Van Nuys, California. God bless Jamie. We hope we can ride together again.