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Why Captain Picard and Captain Pike Share a Surprising Item on Their Starships

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In the realms of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Captains Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) each possess an unusual artifact on their respective starships. While these two commanders excel in their roles as captains of the Enterprise, they hail from separate eras of Star Trek with few connections between them. Remarkably, however, both Picard and Pike indulge in a shared pastime that links them to Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) as well.

Instead of socially interacting extensively with his crew like Captain Pike, Captain Picard tended to maintain a more detached relationship and often spent his leisure time engrossed in a book. In contrast, Captain Pike enjoyed the tranquility of an off-grid cabin in Montana for relaxation, indulging in horseback riding – a pastime shared by Picard as well, who occasionally partook in this activity on the holodeck. Interestingly, much like Captain Pike, Picard kept his personal saddle aboard his ship, Enterprise-D.

Captain Picard Kept A Saddle Like Captain Pike On Star Trek: The Next Generation

As Captain Picard Says: “A Saddle Is A Very Personal Thing”

Captain Pike owned a number of horses that resided at his ranch situated in Bear Creek, Montana. This was where he would spend his leisure time during the gap between seasons 2 of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Interestingly, while on the Enterprise, Pike kept a saddle in his private quarters, an artifact that was once tried out by Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) during season 2’s “Those Old Scientists.” Meanwhile, Captain Picard, when not playing detective Dixon Hill on the holodeck, indulged in horseback riding, a hobby showcased in TNG season 2, episode 15, “Pen Pals.

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 18 titled “Starship Mine,” the Enterprise is undergoing routine maintenance. Captain Picard unexpectedly rushes back to the ship because he had learned that the locals ride horses. Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) inquired about Picard’s saddle on board, wondering why it was there. Picard explained that he always keeps a saddle handy since he never knows when a chance to ride might present itself. Eventually, Captain Picard encounters some mercenaries who were looting the Enterprise, and his saddle proved useful as an impromptu weapon when he was initially taken by surprise.

Why Captains Of The Enterprise Like Riding Horses

Captains Pike, Kirk, & Picard All Take After Western Heroes

In an original sense, Star Trek was envisioned as a “Wagon Train to the stars,” making it appropriate that the series would reference the Western genre. The three most recognized commanders of the Starship Enterprise – Pike, Kirk, and Picard – all share a fondness for horseback riding, despite their varying leadership styles. Each starship captain embodies the spirit of a cowboy (or cowgirl) in their unique way, as they traverse the final frontier – the Milky Way galaxy. Space captains are adventurers and explorers, and there’s something timelessly alluring about horseback riding and its ties to exploration.

Starting with “Star Trek: The Original Series,” the franchise has always been based on space-set Western-style adventures. Just as cowboys bonded with their horses, captains like Kirk and Picard developed a deep affection for their ships, finding in them a sense of freedom that resonates. In “Star Trek Generations” and now “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” we see these characters sharing an affinity for horseback riding, a pastime that reflects the spirit of adventure that defines them.

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2025-04-21 03:39

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