New Year's Day dawned cold and dreary. I tried to hold on to the dream.... The New Year's Trail Ride tradition is hard to let go. The temperature was below freezing rather than almost 40. The fog was thick and freezing on bridges. A few snow flakes were flying. Freezing rain predicted...... The better part of valor meant that we drove cars rather than rigs to the Walkerosa, skipped riding and moved straight to eating/drinking/talking.
Pretty satisfying to talk horses if you can't ride horses. So, we did. Western Dressage. Pri Caprilli. Bend and track on the turns. New Saddles. Old Saddles. Horse soundness and not. Navajo. Pico. Lika. Lynn's mare. Willy. Sunny. Scooter. The afternoon was over in a flash and we left just before dusk since the dirt road was a bit slimy. The next chance for trail riding might be for a Ground Hog Day or a Search for Evidence of Spring ride.... YaYa!
The girls received a "water box" for Christmas and Ivy is already working Sister in anticipation of riding her in Western classes in 2013. Pico is still off so we will likely make another vet trip soon; Ivy may be reduced to riding Splash for English since Alaina wants to ride Sister in English and Jumping. Life can be sooooo complicated.
Now, for those 20 Reasons to Ride
Riding with great friends
Elegant tack
Cute boots
Any excuse for bling
Keeps the dirty Santa in circulation
Euphoria that comes from controlling (or trying to control) you own personal 1/2 ton animal
Equine therapy
The best (perhaps not fastest) way to get from A to B
More photos of you and your horse
Interesting training strategies
The challenge of mounting without a mounting block
You can go anywhere and get nowhere
Its fun to plan show strategy
You get to pat a pony
Getting lost just makes the ride longer
Re-living the ride with friends Après-Ride
Non-polluting... or at least biodegradable
Post ride wine
Priceless if not inexpensive
Feeling the wind in your hair or through the helmet vents
