I arrived at Allison Creek Farm on Friday at noon. The clinic had already been going for half a day and my trainer, Joyce, caught me up. There were four other riders with their horses participating.
When Joyce first asked me if I could mount up, my hands started shaking, a fear ball lodged in my throat, tears welled up in my eyes and I told her I couldn't do it yet. She backed off, said it was fine. About thirty minutes later she asked if I could get on if she held him with his halter and lead rope. I said yes.
Next time, I mounted alone.
But Sunday, I was riding Little Man in patterns at the canter, all over the obstacle course, and down a short loop trail through the woods. I go back in a week and a half to pick him up and bring him home. Chelsea will follow him in a few weeks.
Where as a few weeks ago I was seriously contemplating the reality of continuing to own young horses that I wasn't using, now I'm trying to figure out how I can keep getting them both ridden on my own.
I may have even peeked at the NATRC (North American Trail Riding Competition) schedule to see when the next ride is.
Here's a little pictorial history
Me riding Zena in a Competitive Trail Ride |
Zena's son Druid (Little Man) at 1 week old |