Another Milestone

 Hi again! So today was the first day of my "riding series" . It was great! There is no better feeling than accomplishing something that you never thought you would do.
            As most people know, about 4 years ago I lost my confidence in riding and was afraid to even be on the back of the horse. Not having confidence made it really difficult to ride. I couldn't keep control. I couldn't concentrate. Then i came to this barn and met M&M and my instructors. Now i am a very confident rider. Most of the time.
                                        Today was jumping day. I had only ever "jumped" 3 times. 2 of them the horse i was riding just stepped over it and the 3rd was an accident. I was riding Magic today. My instructor set up a jumping course and 4 other girls went ahead of me. One of them had a higher course. The younger 3 were 5,4 and a half, and 7. The older girl,Nicole, rode a Morgan named Encore. Encore is about the same size as Magic. Encore jumped the jumps and he looked great doing it. So then after a while it was my turn. Magic was being a slowpoke again.as usual. It was hard to keep him going. So on my first course he just stepped over the jumps. Then the 2nd course came and he was moving a little quicker. Before i go on, I am going to show a picture of the typical riding arena setup.

                                                  So on our second time, I was coming up on the crossrail at C and I got into jumping position.
                                          
                              The picture above is jumping position, or two point, at the trot. Magic trotted up to it and he jumped it! It is a GREAT feeling. It almost feels like flying. Another great thing is when you jump a good jump, you feel connected with your horse and I think that Magic and I really connected today. I felt like that would be a difficult thing since I had such a strong bond with Robin. I think that today really helped us connect and bond.
                                    I love Magic to pieces and he helped me to accomplish another milestone. I will forever love him for that.

"You must share everything. The bad and the good."

 So hi guys! It has been awhile again. Sorry about that. Lots has been happening lately.    
      Angel had her foal. There were 2 pregnant mares. Sandy and Angel. Angel's foal wasn't nursing right away so he had to go away for a few days. I saw him and he is absolutely adorable. His name is Gabriel. I got to play with him for a little while last week. It was fun. He is already really big. I am 5 feet tall and he is almost taller than me! He is very curious like most young foals. He is a beautiful bay color. I absolutely adore him. Sadly,Sandy's foal didn't make it. Her umbilical cord broke before she was born. My instructor said that she was a beautiful buckskin. She named her Liberty. She said,"She was in the world she deserves a name." her name came from the fact that she was born on the 4th of July.
           So I don't think i mentioned this in my last post,but Robin was for sale. I was really sad because i loved her to bits. Then a few weeks ago i came to the barn and she wasn't there. I will tell you though,that she has a great home in West Virginia.
               Since Robin is sold,I am riding a new horse. I have ridden him once before. But it was a REALLY long time ago. His name is Magic and he is a 15.3 hand Morgan gelding. He is the biggest horse i have ever ridden alone. I absolutely love him.

 

These pictures are of Magic and I.

 

I think that is all for now. I will have more in the next few days. I get to ride 3 days in a row!

~Ellie