Another Day of Riding Lessons

Mom and Chelsea are getting to be quite the riders.

It has been a while since I have tagged along for
a lesson but Chelsea said she wanted me to come
today.

It was fun.

The weather here is rather fall like, after nasty
thunderstorms yesterday that dropped hail the size
of quarters in places. Even this morning there was
a heavy morning shower before the air cleared and
the sun came out. It is beautiful now.

Here are some shots of Chelsea's lesson.
She has a very nice way with the horse and
seems to be quite good with having a nice
tight circle when she cuts around a barrel or
other object. It was very pretty to see her
make Sandi trot. I am pleased with Chelsea's
progress.








While Chelsea was taking her lesson Grandma Ruth was
being entertained by Miss Sarah.


I was so fascinated by the intensity on her face as she talked.





Love it!
Then she was off!



After about an hour of Chelsea riding it was Mom's turn.
I know that my Aunt and my Brother will enjoy these pictures.


It was immediately obvious how much more comfortable Mom has become with Sandi. She was right up there talking to her and patting her.









Mom is sitting straighter and definitely more in control now.


It was so nice to be there and see what a great teacher Lindsay is. She is patient with horse and student, alike.
Grandpa Bob and I were able to spend a few minutes chatting while his horse, Cheyenne, ate all of the grass in her area, which happened to be the length of a rope Grandpa Bob was holding. At one point I thought she might try to get at the grass under my feet.

It was nice to see Mrs. Rabe and Miss Paula briefly while the lesson was happening.
Tomorrow I hope to get to have one last fun outing with Mrs. Rabe and Miss Paula before she returns to her home in CA ...we will see.

I just have to mention that last evening I enjoyed watching some of the Olympics with Paula's daughter Kaitlin. It was especially interesting because Kaitlin is a swimmer so I learned more about the suits and the backstroke than I would have by just watching alone. Thanks Kaitlin!
It has been fun getting to know you this visit!

Well, this is a long post, but hopefully you have enjoyed the pictures.

Blessings on your day!

Becky K.

The Riding Lesson

It had rained the whole night before so there was
trepidation as to whether it might be too wet to
experience this first lesson.

(This butterfly was taking
a drink after the rain from a
butterfly bush at Creekside Cottage.)

However, the phone call came around 9:00 am that it
looked good. Not too wet.

I think Grandma Ruth must have been excited about the
lesson because she was ready in plenty of time.

Chelsea was a bit more sedate.

Grandma Georgia came along for the fun. She is an experienced
horse woman, having owned her own horse for 25 years. She now
finds herself volunteering at a horse rescue. A fabulous answer
to prayer. After losing her husband Georgia has needed a
purpose. The horse farm truly helps.

When we arrived at Creekside Cottage the horses were in the ring.
They were not yet saddled having needed a little grooming for
Cheyenne. Turns out she loves a good roll in the mud. Apparently
white horses love to have brown spots. So Miss Lindsay and her
grandfather had been brushing mud out of her white coat.

The lesson began as we learned about saddling up. Cinching the
saddle "thingy" until it seems just right and then walking the
horse until it exhales...seems the silly critters are smart
enough to hold their breath so the saddle is not too tight.
If you exercise it enough before getting on the horse will have
to let that air out and you can re-cinch the saddle. Cool!
Even I learned something.

Here are the pictures from the morning...

Meet Sandy...Mrs. Rabe says Sandy has a bit of the attitude of a Queen. She is a lovely horse who is oh so gentle, however. A very smart animal.



Both horses grab a last minute snack before the bits go in their mouths.


Then Chelsea and Grandpa Bob get them to exhale. Don't want that saddle coming off mid lesson!



I, of course took a couple more pictures of Chelsea than Grandpa Bob. Even though I like Grandpa Bob just fine...he has a tendency to beat me at bowling....maybe that is why I slighted him on pictures...one never knows...


Grandma Ruth get her helmet in place. Look at that face!

And then she is on the horse! Miss Lindsay is an excellent instructor. Chelsea wants more of her time in the next lesson...she loves Lindsay! Lindsay has been thoroughly interested in all things "horse" since I met her nearly eight years ago.
She is the reason Creekside Cottage has horses.


Chelsea rides...with instruction from Grandma Georgia.




Miss Sarah kept an eye on everything...


A sweet picture of Grandpa Bob, Rachel and Cheyenne. Grandpa Bob is the proud owner of this very gentle horse.


Miss Emily was a great big sister to Kyle and took him on the swings. He wanted Emily to "Watch me swing!" He then splashed in the puddles as he came by while wearing the most adorable rain boots. Great kids!!!!!


I did exactly what I told myself I would not do. I allowed myself to impose on Mrs. Rabe's hospitality and ended up inside Creekside Cottage for a nice visit. Poor Mrs. Rabe. An hour lost to conversation. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fact that Grandma Phyllis was there was a wonderful bonus. She is such a sweetie.

Then it was back to the "real world". Getting Mikey off to work.

What fun!

Thanks Lindsay, Grandpa Bob, Mrs. Rabe, Rachel, Sarah, Emily, Kyle and Grandma Phyllis. We enjoyed ourselves.