2020 has definitely had it's moments.
One of the only things that has gotten me through homeschooling, lock downs, restrictions, social distancing and the noise of this crazy world we live in is my old reliable foundation, my rock... horses. While 2020 is technically the year of the Rat, for me, it's our year of the Horse.
After a hundred asks, we finally gave our horse-crazy, Brown Eyed Girl a few real lessons for her birthday. After a few phone calls and connecting with an old friend and colleague, I scheduled our Brown Eyed Girl's first official lesson - by someone other than her mother.
Our Brown Eyed Girl was paired with an amazing, one-eyed, and very special mare named Doll.
Once a week Doll fosters a new found passion for horses in our Brown Eyed Girl. Blooming beyond just adoring model horses to a full on obsession with them.
Each week improving in her seat, understanding and patience with Doll, this time we spend at the barn is something we look forward to more than ever as the world around us has been transforming.
One afternoon we waked into the barn and were told we would all be going on a trail ride, even Mr Blue Eyes! After an hour in the saddle, I confessed that this day was exactly what my soul needed.
Truth be told, every Thursday has been a shining light in our week. A few hours to completely unplug, let the familiar barn sounds wash away my thoughts and just escape reality.
We started talking about horses nearly every day at home. In those conversations, my Brown Eyed Girl and I decided we really needed to start working with Jack and Skip.
She was finally big enough and was gaining enough confidence around horses that I welcomed my Brown Eyed Girl's help. Truth be told, she was becoming quite the little hand.
Slowly but surely we dusted away the cobwebs in the attic, so-to-speak. Each week Skip and Jack were remembering more and more of training days past. My goal is to turn Skip into my Brown Eyed Girls next horse. Never to replace PC, but take her through her next phase as a rider.
A bold new adventure, but lucky for both of us, he is a slug!
What he makes up for in try, he truly lacks for in work ethic. Leave it to a big old red head to prove the stereotypes of horses.
Motivated by food (check)
Lazy (check)
All this horse motivation has been put to good use! We even spent a weekend cleaning out the tack room and cleaning all of my saddles.
Yep, right there is the inside of my heart.
We have also had the opportunity to see and be around a brand new baby at the barn this year!
For a few weeks, I wasn't sure if she was more excited to see this little dude or actually ride Doll.
She is learning so much about horses, not just riding. The assistant trainers are all so helpful and patient with my Brown Eyed Girl as she learns horse care.
Doll is a saint too.
Another surprise a month or so ago, we were invited to a ranch horse clinic! My Brown Eyed Girl was so excited to participate in a mock pattern class where she would actually be judged and scored and then have the opportunity to work on areas in her pattern that needed improvement, as part of the clinic.
We showed up ready for her debut and found out this old lady would get to participate as well!
I have loved the view from atop a saddled horse, looking down between a perfect pair of ears, my entire life.
I can not share with you the words I felt. It is something I have waited for my entire life. That moment of looking down and seeing two pairs of ears, knowing my boot was gently touching hers in an elevated space somewhere between sold ground and heaven.
The rest of the day she impressed me. Nearly 4 hours in the saddle under a hot afternoon sun. Never complaining. Always smiling and very focused. She met a new friend and I beamed. Some of my most treasured friends were made because of the love of horses.
I can not wait to see where horses take us the rest of the year. Maybe her first real show this fall or winter?
I know I will make an amazing Horse Show Mom!
After a lot of consideration, I finally decided to send both Jack and Skip off to the trainers barn for at least 30 days of horse boot camp. Perhaps one of them will be the perfect fit for my Brown Eyed Girl to start experimenting with showing. If nothing else, I hope they will come home ready to be ridden whenever we feel like saddling them up, together, for an afternoon or weekend ride.
The pressure is on Boys!
