Horses!

So about a month ago one of my Aqua-mates at 24hr Fitness asked me if I liked horses. (Is the Pope Catholic? I mean, come on!) After a conversation where we gushed about how much we loved horses, no matter how many broken bones they caused us, Liz invited Libby and I out to her barn to ride one of her horses. I accepted. Of course. Last Saturday was our first time out at Walking Tall Ranch. I was a little nervous that Libby's exhurberant love of life would startle the horses, but she was able to reign it in (get it? Reign it in? Hahaha...). Anyway, it was love at first sight. Libby got right on, no hesitation, and went around, and around, and around the arena. Then it was my turn. Oh man. You know that feeling when you get home from a long trip and you just take a deep breath and feel like you are finally back where you belong? Yep, I was finally back where I belonged, 5 ft in the air with a horse between my knees and the smells of dirt, sweat, hay, and yes, manure, surrounding me. I couldn't have been happier. Anyway, once Libby saw me kick Stormy up a couple knotches, she said "Mama! You're running! I want to run too!"

Today we made another trip out to the ranch, along with John, Jaina, Malachi, and John's parents. Libby was once again excited to see Stormy. Today she got to help brush him. When we walked Libby, atop Stormy, down to the arena, Jaina ran up and wanted to pet Stormy. After Libby rode for a bit, she said she was done, and Jaina begged to get on. So we let Jaina have a turn. She looked so tiny on top of that big horse! I thought she would be scared, but no way. She loved it. I think she rode more today than Libby did. For a few minutes we put them both up on Stormy together for a photo op. I was so proud of my girls! John asked on the way home if I was disappointed that I didn't get to ride today (Stormy had to do some training with Claire for next week's show). I told him I was so happy to see my girls getting to ride that I didn't mind at all. I don't go out there for myself, I go for my girls.

Liz invited us back next week for the show so Libby can "compete" in the lead line class. She'll sit and I'll lead Stormy around. Nothing fancy. Each participant gets a ribbon (of their color choice, the girl who got first at the last show wanted pink instead of blue!) and a beanie baby. I think it will be a lot of fun for Libby. Here are some pictures: