Ride 'em, Cowgirls!

If you received this update via e-mail, please note there ARE associated photos available only on the actual blog. Visit site to see the latest.

About a month ago the girls changed riding instructors. We now drive just eight miles further to a quiet community with expansive facilities and a wonderful riding instructor. The girls have been learning new skills every lesson, a plus in my book.

This weekend they enjoyed competing in their first Fun Day - a gymkhana-style event tailored for novice riders. The riders varied in age from 2 (on a lead line) to early teen. This was the riding instructor's second such event, and we hope she continues with more in the near future because the girls had SO much fun in this relaxed, social, supportive setting.

Riders could sign up for any of the offered events. V and E rode in all of them including: barrel racing, speed barrels, pole bending, big T, obstacle course, stick relay, keyhole and London bridge. It was great to see them take command of their mounts and step out into that arena. They both did well, but the best part was watching those big grins as they worked their way through the courses.

Parents cheered for all the riders, even kids they'd never seen before. They offered words of encouragement, and some who also had riding experience offered kids pointers now and again. A 2-year-old boy rode a big horse which his mom led while his dad walked alongside, offering support when needed. The big sister, probably about 4 years old, offered some of the most quotable quotes of the day. My favorite, while bouncing in her saddle on trot, "WOO HOO! This is fun!"

Yep.

That pretty much summed it up.

For the record, the event was held within minutes of Santa Maria on a 54-acre place that's for sale, so if anyone has $2 million they'd like to donate to our cause, well, you know where to find me.

Share this post with: