ZOMG, I just had the BEST. RIDE. EVAR!

[Grataan]

So the little girls and their assorted ponies (well let's be honest, I'm sure the ponies aren't thrilled about the costume contest) have convinced me to come to the "Spooktacular" halloween show that's coming up. They seem to think it would be excellent if Dr. Grataan and Dr. Grataan's retired show horse won an all around title (she showed locally in HP and WP after her class A EP career.)

I haven't ridden her since June or so but she's an English horse at heart so I'm not worried about her Hunter Pleasure rustiness. I pulled out Dr Mr Grataan's uber comfy Crates saddle and took the old girl for a spin (literally lol she's got great haunch turns) Princess thought that the western saddle was a bit odd (she's not been ridden western in, oh, about six years other than trail riding) but what the heck she seemed up for it. Did I mention she was trained to go in the spade bit? And that was the only curb I could find since Dr Mr Grataan helpfully took my horse trailer (and all my show tack inside it)to a team roping jackpot. I thought she might be a bit resistant but I stayed off her face and rode her with seat/legs.

OH

MY

FREAKING

GOD.!!!!!!!!

The mare was switched ON. She was a ROCKSTAR. And she knew it. She was sooooooo good! I could have ridden her at an A show WP today. And she'd have come away with the roses.

She got cookies, a roll in the sand, cookies, a warm bath, cookies, a liniment massage, cookies, a bran mash, cookies, etc.

The only thing I could think of was "I'm so lucky, I'm so lucky, I can't wait to tell CoTH, I'm so lucky"

I mean I know it's western but you guys understand right? What a good girl. I love that horse so much! :)

[cutemudhorse]

Yaay!! What fun! Not that I get the Western stuff exactly, actually cutting or penning sounds like waay more fun than WP to me, but I know what you mean!! :)

Isn't it great when you get on someone after not riding them in a while and think "I'm just gonna play" and it all comes together bec you're so relaxed and JUST HAVING FUN!!! :) Works in dressage too!

You can't tell me that they don't like to work at least some time. . . like that, when they're fresh and haven't been drilled a lot. I used to get my best dressage scores after a day of hacking. . .

[Grataan]

Yaay!! What fun! Not that I get the Western stuff exactly, actually cutting or penning sounds like waay more fun than WP to me, but I know what you mean!! :)

Isn't it great when you get on someone after not riding them in a while and think "I'm just gonna play" and it all comes together bec you're so relaxed and JUST HAVING FUN!!! :) Works in dressage too!

You can't tell me that they don't like to work at least some time. . . like that, when they're fresh and haven't been drilled a lot. I used to get my best dressage scores after a day of hacking. . .
Totally! She offered some great flying changes ( I think she was having fun goofing off-I was loping in circles and she was like," ohey, let's go the other way now. No? ok I'll change back!" lol)

That and her amazing disposition is why I put the kiddos up on her.