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It's the time of year for milestones!

Midge turned 7 three weeks ago, which seems hard to fathom. Baby pony isn't a baby anymore!

I turned older, definitely older.

And, Midge and I celebrate 2 years together! 

In some ways, it seems like I've had her forever because we've done a ton of things in the past two years. Yet, in others she still feels very much like the new girl and I feel like our partnership is very young.

It could be because I was/am so attached to Ginger that it took me a long time to open myself up to getting attached to another pony. And, it could be because I didn't buy her with the intent of keeping her. She was going to be a fun project, and it evolved from there. I never made a conscious decision not to sell her, the idea just became less and less appealing as time passed. So, you'll have to excuse me if I continue to feel a little surprised that my project pony is still here two years later. We have a ton of new goals and what I hope will be a lifetime of adventures ahead of us, and after so many years of trying I'm having a bit of trouble believing the one horse I bought without much of an agenda is the one I want to keep forever and the one taking me to so many of the long term goals I've held.

Happy after a good dressage test

Also, I can say from experience...5 year old pony was a brat who I honestly didn't like that much despite her obvious positives I bought her based on the fact that she was quiet on the trails and I thought we could get along. That's it, no emotion involved. I appreciated her strengths, but it's hard to love anyone who's go to answer for most things is 'nope!' It was a really good thing she was/is cute. 6 year old pony was better, but still had some terrible moments...weeks of repeatedly running sideways into the arena walls still doesn't seem as funny as it should, even months later. Yet somehow, 7 year old pony is turning into Best Pony Ever...so, it seems even pony mares do mature at some point! (I'm not under any illusions I've magically trained or installed a work ethic in the little beastie. She's good now because for whatever reason she's decided she wants to be, and we should probably tread carefully :)