On a hot, humid Sunday morning, riders of all ages from across the state met at the Veterinary Medicine complex for the second day of the equestrian event in the 19th annual Iowa Summer Games.

Art Baker was one such rider. He was the only man in the jumping event, the oldest and he just had triple-bypass heart surgery three months ago.

The 69-year-old has been competing in the Iowa Summer Games since their beginning in 1987, but he has been competing with his Morgan horses all of his life.

Baker¡s daughter, Pam Pirie, a Johnston resident, said her father loves the Iowa Summer Games and did not want to miss out on them this year simply because of his surgery.

He hasn¡t competed since his surgery, but he didn¡t want to miss out on the Games,Œ she said. He isn¡t doing anything he isn¡t comfortable with.Œ

When he underwent surgery, doctors told him he would be in the hospital for five days, but complications turned the stay into 10 days.

His heart stopped twice, and his lungs weren¡t pulling in enough oxygen,Œ Pirie said. For a man who never gets sick, it was quite a change.Œ

We watched some videos the doctors showed us, but that didn¡t quite prepare us.Œ

After his surgery, Baker¡s doctors knew he would get back on a horse before he¡d even return to his carpet cleaning business. They never told him how long to wait before returning to equestrian jumping.

It¡s his passion,Œ Pirie said, trying to hold back the tears. I¡m so excited to see him return to the course.Œ

Baker, who lives in Fort Dodge, had signed up to compete in three different jumping events with two different horses, and after jumping with 12-year-old Carmen in the first, a horse he just recently started using, he decided to call it quits.

Baker dismounted quickly and immediately took a seat in the shade and doused himself with water. He proceeded to cough and gag for a couple of moments before calming down.

This is just part of the healing process,Œ he said. This was quite frequent the first month after surgery, but the heat has a big impact on it. Too bad we weren¡t on a hill; it would have been a lot cooler.Œ

Carmen gave Baker some gruff at the start of the event, but after some heavy coaxing, Baker finally got her to jump the first hurdle.

I didn¡t think we¡d even get over the first jump,Œ he said.

Carmen can be stubborn,Œ Pirie said. Bumblebee is very natural. Whatever he¡s asked the horses to do, they¡ve done.Œ

Bumblebee is a 30-year-old horse that has given Baker prominence as a jumper throughout the years. The two have won three World Championship titles, and Bumblebee has also earned five gold medals with different riders. Baker was disappointed not to have him there for Sunday¡s jumping events.

I thought with the heat, it would be best to leave him home,ΠBaker said.

Bumblebee and Carmen are Morgan horses, a breed Baker favors and always uses.

Morgan horses can be very hesitant,Œ he said. Everybody has their own breed they use, but if you¡re not sold on your own breed, then you shouldn¡t use it.Œ

Although Bumblebee is a very old horse, Baker hopes to use him for a little while longer before retiring him to the pasture.

For the last three years, I wasn¡t sure from year to year if I could still use him,Œ Baker said.

Bumblebee¡s retirement isn¡t the only one on Baker¡s mind.

My goal is to make it two more years,Œ he said. I should feel better next year. I¡ve heard people say it took seven to 12 months for them to feel completely better after having this surgery. I think I¡m doing pretty well.Œ