Horsing Around

Posting

Cantering

Approaching

Jumping

Landing

And repeat.

 

Then do it one more time bareback!

Eliza Grace thoroughly enjoyed her week of horseback riding camp, which always ends with her saying something to the effect of, "Mom, I really think that we need to lease a horse."

She Canters Verticals

Posing for a moment before her introduction.
Trotting into the ring on Anything But Ordinary, also known as Dixie.
And here she goes...

Time to let Dixie rest.

Rumor Has It.

Another track out from school, another week of horse back riding camp for Eliza Grace.

Back in June she rode in 100 degree temperatures.

When I dropped her off last Tuesday, the thermometer read 23 degrees.

Given the minor amount of body fat on the kid, I was not surprised when she said might consider skipping camp next winter :)

I got to see her ride on Friday afternoon and, once again, Rumor was at the ready and together they cantered over a jump for the first time!

She has learned so much and now throws around phrases like "tacking up" and getting in my two-point."

Here is a little bit of Eliza Grace and Rumor in action.

Once Again Around the Ring.

Eliza Grace spent a week of her track out at Trademark Stables horseback riding camp.

Rumor stuck his tongue out at me!

And, not surprisingly, once again she had a wonderful time .

Rumor was not really in a cantering mood on this particular day but she finally got him to get moving, at least for a few seconds.

Back in the Saddle Again

Another week of track out has come and gone and, with it, another week of horseback riding camp. I cannot stress enough how much Eliza Grace enjoys riding, feeding and generally being around horses.

It has been at or near 100 degrees every day this week so she does come home hot and dirty and tired. But she has loved every sweaty moment of it.


She has gotten better at posting, learned to canter a bit and even went over a very small jump. She has also already asked me if I have signed her up for the September track out camp. I better get on that right now!

Eliza Grace canters on Rascal

Eliza Grace does not mean to canter on Rascal
while approaching a small jump :)

Giddy Up!

Eliza Grace was so excited that the last week of track out was finally here, as this was the week she would attend a 3-day horseback riding camp.

Prior to this camp, Eliza Grace's equestrian experience amounted to a couple of trainer led pony rides, so my expectations for camp were simple ones. We hoped that she would become comfortable around ponies/horses, learn the basics about caring for/feeding/grooming the animals and a little bit about the equipment and how to use it.

We were more than very pleasantly surprised that Eliza Grace learned all the above and much more. To say she is comfortable in a barn and around horses is an understatement. The first couple of days she got to ride English saddle, side saddle and bare back. She watched the farrier shoe a horse and the large animal vet treat a horse with a sore in his mouth. She listened and learned well and when I went to watch her ride at the end of the third day, I was very impressed.

She was very comfortable with the small pony, could get her pony to walk and trot, she could steer him (and weave in and out of poles), and was learning to post. Of course, she had a wonderful teacher and the sweetest of animals on which to learn, so I know that helped immensely!

After she finished riding, she led the pony back to his stall, helped to remove his saddle, etc., brushed him down a bit, fed him a couple of carrots for being such a good boy and then led him out to the paddock like it was something she had been doing for years.

"I love you, Rumor"
Heading to the paddock to chill out

"Come'on, Rumor...we're going this way"

It was like she was born to do this. Which is really cool...and has our bank account shivering :)

Major kudos to Ms. Chelly, a most excellent teacher and to Rumor, the gentlest of ponies.

We have committed to letting her attend a week-long camp this summer and will discuss actual lessons at some point in the near future.

Here is a little bit of Eliza Grace (and Rumor and Ms. Chelly) live in action:

Edging Toward the Tween Years

Last weekend we had Eliza Grace's 8th birthday party. I think her choices were indicative of the fact that she is moving away from some childish ways and moving towards early adolescence: a horseback riding party...with a Scooby Doo themed cake.

Thankfully the weather was not too cold or wet and I think everyone had a really great time. There was a little something for everyone: pony rides, horse drawn cart rides (although it was really more of a seated chariot ride), turkeys that followed you around and pecked at the back of your knees, geese, ducks, peacocks, goats to feed, dogs...you get the picture.

After we were done at the barn, we headed back to our house for pizza, cake and presents. Afterward, Eliza Grace declared it the "best birthday party in my entire life!" Now that is something every parent loves to hear!

These proud fellas followed just about everyone around. Their gals stayed close to make sure they were not tempted to stray

If you gobbled at them, they gobbled right back...loudly!

Hmph..they gave me their rear view

They enjoyed pecking at Eliza Grace's reflective tag

on the back of her jacket. The girls were obviously excited about getting on the ponies. You can practically hear Ms. Ali saying,"girls, please do not run up behind the ponies."

Eliza Grace letting Chief check her out

Waiting to mount up

I wonder what tale Eliza Grace was telling here?

Apparently my girl knows how to pose

Heading out on the trail This is how Will patiently awaited his turn:

Aunt Heidi and Cousin Gretchen
heading out for their ride The cart rides were a big hit!

Then we took the gang back to our house for
the yummy stuff