Please remain seated

(I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but for some reason never got around to hitting publish. Here it is, for what it’s worth).

 

This summer was busy. One of the Forbearing Husband’s projects came to fruition in a most satisfying way, which meant more than the usual number of trips away from home for both of us.

Because of all the excitement it’s been a bit harder than usual to keep up with a regular riding schedule. I’ve been trying to get out every chance I can though, and this afternoon, riding bareback on a rather grumpy pony during duck shooting season (she hates the random gun shots sounding out from various neighbourhood properties), I rode through a spook that would have unseated me just a few months ago.

It’s so cool when practice starts to pay off don’t you think?  I’m still a very novice rider. Summer, bless her, kindly puts up with a whole lot of human error, but after every ride I figure a few more things out and — slowly, slowly — I’m moving closer to being the rider I’d one day like to be.

This is my inspiration, Stacey Westfall and Whizard’s Baby Doll (aka Roxy) at the 2006 American Quarter Horse Congress — it makes me smile every time I watch it. If only I had enough practice hours left in my lifetime!

 

chrissyb

10 Comments

  1. That’s amazing! Wish I could get myself to follow my instructions that well. (Though I’d prefer she wore a helmet 😎)

    • Yes, bareback, bridleless, and flirting with a concussion! For some reason one rarely sees an American rider wearing a helmet. Interesting.

  2. Wow, that brought tears to my eyes. But why did she use a bridle with a bit right at the end to lead the horse out??

  3. Um, and don’t think you should attempt standing on Summer. Ever. Bonnie would be closer to the ground…

  4. Wow! Maybe YOUR hat could be reinforced. Not sure about the frills, though.

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