A fine start to summer....

Summer vacation began yesterday and I'd like to think I started it off by doing something I'll get to do a whole lot of this summer - riding my pony!

A friend and co-worker, Jennifer, invited me on a trail ride up at Bennington and I must admit that I was a bit nervous about accepting.  I've never ridden with Jennifer but I know that she is a fairly accomplished rider and I always hate being the "drag at the party" and didn't want to ruin what would be her first ride of vacation as well by forcing her to go at a beginners pace....but she was very kind and gracious and truly just wanted to make sure I had a good time on the trails.  In fact, she purposefully didn't give me her cell number so I couldn't back out at the last minute!

My last ride up at Bennington was NOT fun - Zoe spooked and pranced the whole way around the lake.  I now know that large groups are not the thing for us!  But yesterday's trip showed me that small groups of 2 or 3 horses are just fine, especially if one of those horses is as calm as Jennifer's quarter horse, Dutch.  Zoe only jumped twice and actually walked calmly by a couple of things we were sure would get her (a blue heron taking flight right next to us and a momma deer standing over her newborn fawn).  Go figure!  Overall, I had a great time and was actually quite relaxed by the end.  Thank you, Jennifer, for babysitting me!  :)

I haven't posted in quite a while, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy.  I rode in a couple of clinics with Jim Briggs...and was called an under-achiever by him during one of the lessons.  I have to say, though, that I don't mind being called that during that particular lesson since I'm the only one (including Jim!) who actually stayed in my saddle!  I'll take caution over being tossed to the ground any day!

Weather has been (and still is) wet and chilly.  I am looking forward to some warm, sunny days.  I'm a little worried that I won't get enough practice time in before the dressage schooling show next weekend.  Yup, I signed up to take two intro tests.  And that makes me even more nervous than the trail ride yesterday did!  Zoe and I are totally unprepared to be judged.  Just the thought of trying to ride a perfect circle makes me tense!  But I have to put myself out there sometime, right?  :)

Sure hope the rain lets up this week so I can get some practice in.......