eye opening

I can hardly describe what a different experience I had riding with Emily yesterday. The barn is gorgeous, home to around a hundred beautiful horses (mostly hunter/jumper types). Though the farm itself doesn't have a manager, there's a staff and three trainers that more or less run the place. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and I didn't feel out of place for a second. I was worried that at a hunter/jumper barn I might feel a little odd. I was soooo excited to meet Charlie and to see Jack again. He has really blossomed and looks fantastic. I'm still in awe of Emily's ability to see Jack as a 2 year old on the track and understand that there was something really special about him (potential to be an upper level event horse). One of the neat things about her two horses is that they have dramatically different personalities on the ground and under saddle. Charlie is a ham on the ground, a bit pushy and opinionated. Jack wants you to hold his head in the cross ties, and you practically have to drag him out of his stall (he was laying down knee deep in straw when we arrived -- co cute). Under saddle, Charlie is ALL business, and completely unflappable. Did I mention he's 4??? She picked him up off the track in November and has been working with him since then. He just completed his first little horse trial and won his dressage division. Jack, who's coming off of a month on stall rest, was pretty amped up. As soon as I got on Charlie I relaxed...he trucked me around quietly while Jack danced around a little. At one point we were going in opposite directions and as we went to pass each other Jack came unglued, leaped away from Charlie squealing. Both Emily and I started laughing...silly pony. Oh, and Charlie? Didn't flick an ear. His best buddy in the whole world just bolted away screeching and he didn't miss a beat.

What's special about Charlie is that he's green but sane. I loved riding him because he's had great training so far, but he still needs lots of education. He's exactly the kind of horse I would want if I was looking for one. Sadly, he's leaving on Tuesday for Virginia to be sold out of Phyllis Dawson's farm. He's going to make someone a very nice lower level event mount.

The truth is, riding at a great place, with an awesome rider was inspiring and at one point Emily looked at me and said, "you need a horse of your own". Sigh...I know.

Best news? She invited me out again today to ride Charlie and dun, dun, dunnnn...she's going to set some jumps for me!!!!!!

Time to go throw on my riding pants!