When I finished reading Josh Pons' second book, "Merryland: Two Years in the Life of a Racing Stable," over the weekend, I couldn't help but thinking: This ought to be required reading.
That's right, required reading for politicians, economics students, English students, historians, biology students, aspiring writers and schoolchildren and, especially, all Harford County residents, regardless of age, sex or political persuasion. In this book, and his earlier, "Country Life Diary: Three Years in the Life of a Horse Farm," published in 1992, Pons succinctly tells a spellbinding story of what it's like to be a member of a family-owned business and how hard it is to survive in the face of every imaginable situation that conspires against your success.
The best part of these books is that Pons tells his and his family's story without being judgmental: in other words, without whining. It's the way things are, and Pons, his brothers and sisters, their spouses and children, are determined to carry on with dignity, no matter what roadblocks may be erected in their path.
The books are much more than their insightful look at what horses and the horse farming industry have meant to Harford County, past and present. I suspect anyone who reads this blog knows what the Pons family's Country Life Farm is, if only because of the ubiquitous sign along Route 1 just east of Old Joppa Road, among the car dealers, detail shops and fast food joints — and soon to be a Wal-Mart, or however Pons describes it in his book. What most probably don't realize is this business employs dozens of people, spends millions each year on such needs as feed, hay, medicine, veterinarians, and brings together people from all walks of life, some who probably don't know anything about Harford County other than the name Pons.
I've been fascinated with horses as long as I can remember, even though one of my first encounters, with a fellow who lived in a field across the street (long since become a shopping center), ended in a nasty bite on the arm, which left an impression of his teeth deep enough to pour a dental mold from. I've ridden horses and owned them — I sometimes think as pets they are easier to keep than dogs — and I've bet on more than a few horse races in my day. And, while I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about breeding, caring for, training and racing horses, my understanding is a thimble compared to what I learned from reading and, in the case of rereading "County Life Diary" and "Merryland."
What's most remarkable about these books is how they show the interrelationship between the Pons' business and Harford County's history, its economy and its politics. And, if ever somebody needed a case study on laws and actions of unintended consequences, Pons' books contain scores of easy to understand examples.
Many people believe the horse business, at least the part tied to racing, has become an anachronism. I've written before that the people who depend on horse racing for their livelihood — and the Pons family still does — and people like me who depend on writing for newspapers for their livelihoods — are stuck in the same boat together, clearly trying to avoid capsizing while they paddle madly toward a tsunami.
The horse folks ultimately depend on people who bet on races for their revenue, and with so many other forms of gambling available — and much of it easier to master and lose at than handicapping a race, the industry has failed to attract new blood on the wagering side. Newspapers, who depend on readers and advertisers, have seen their businesses steadily eroded by other competition, not the least of which has been the Internet. The horse folks have received a temporary prop from slots gambling in many states — not Maryland, not yet at least — the newspaper folks are still casting about for their slots revenue. Neither, however, is bringing enough eyes or interest among the under 40 crowd to guarantee any long term survival. Both obviously need new business plans. Neither has found a satisfactory one yet.
The lesson everyone can take from reading Josh Pons is about believing in what you do and being willing to try new ideas to stay relevant and, ultimately, in business, regardless of the adversity. For that reason alone, the $16.95 cost, plus tax of course, of "Merryland: Two Years in the Life of a Racing Stable," is a great investment. The wonderful story and writing are the dividends.
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