Recent Happenings

I've been kind of dropping the ball lately as far as blog worthy adventures to post about! I was supposed to take Bridget camping last weekend, but I was sick and cancelled. There was a dressage show in the city that obviously didn't happen either.

Sophie is at least practicing her moves for future shows.

I've had a bad case of the blahs, really, when it comes to barn time in home town. I've lost motivation and direction with Bridget, and Sophie is obviously too young to do too much adventuring. I'm also temporarily working an extra day on the south coast, so I'm limited to long weekends at home through June. There's also some ongoing local barn/ horse community drama that I sometimes find hard to not get to me. I know I just need to suck it up and get out and do the things as best I can anyway, then I'll feel better. Easier said than done sometimes, I guess!

"Are you coming?"

In that vein, I've booked time off for an adventure with my old barn mates from EC's place. The plan is to attend an event in the interior of the province at the end of June. I haven't ruled out taking Bridget, but most likely I'll be going as groom for a friend and to cheer everyone on. It's in wine country and near a lake, and I'm overdue for a horsey road trip :)

As for this past weekend, despite my lack of motivation, I did spend some time doing groundwork with the ever sassy Sophie pony, and got Bridget out for a long trail ride with barnmates. Riding a short pony has its disadvantages at times, as we managed to get high centered on a big log going down a hill.

It was a lot like this, lol

Bridget being Bridget, did not panic, and slowly slid back and put her weight on her hind legs until she hooked one front hoof, then the other up on top of the log, which she then banked over. One of a kind, this pony. Shortly after, there was a pretty steep/sheer rock face to scramble up, and Bridget needed to think long and hard about that. She told me it wasn't safe, which she was probably right about. I let her formulate her plan, and we got up safely, although I was a little worried - It's a big jump up and there is really no good traction for the horses on the top of the rock, plus a pretty steep drop off on the lake side! While I'm not sure I'll ever voluntarily ride down that particular trail on a horse again, I appreciate that B goes pretty much anywhere and can be trusted to think it through first.

Bridget leading the way and safely back on the road

I used to be all about the crazy technical back country trails, but these days I seem to be losing patience with them, so much walking and it's always up or down a hillside on bad footing, and never any space to turn around or  to get out of a jam.  I don't think it's fair or responsible to knowingly put B into situations where she could potentially hurt herself, no matter how small of a part of the trail those places are. I'll save those trails for my mountain bike from now on.

Banana pony is getting more yellow every day!

On a completely different note, Ginger is getting a pre purchase done in the near future. Cross your fingers hard for the sale to go through, because the potential buyer is a perfect fit and would keep Ginger boarded at EC's where I could see her every week :)