Anyway, the barn is between home and Indy, so of course we stopped by. She took a ton of pictures for me.
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| Involuntary cuddles! |
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| Left canter, so much better than right canter. It's not even funny. |
But the coolest part of the day was when I convinced my mom to get on Connor for a pony ride. She grew up riding, but hasn't ridden since one day when I was 12. I rode her horse, got bucked off in the most dramatic possibly fashion (it felt like I flew 20 feet in the air before coming down on my back on hard packed dirt. The first and only time I've had the wind knocked out of me) and then like any good horse mom, she got on afterward to make him mind.
It's been 14 years since then, and she'll be the first to tell you her nerve isn't what it used to be. She was really close to refusing when I offered to give her a pony ride to cool Connor out. I had to be really persistent, and I told her we'd just do one circle. But by the time we got done with that first circle, she asked to keep going. The magic was back!
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| Don't mind my hair. I forgot a hair tie and had it piled up under my helmet the whole ride. |
This was her awesome Facebook status afterward:
"Ok, the picture is poor of my grand pony and me. I'm not wearing anything remotely riding attire, buuuuuttttt I had a huge moment last night. Jenifer coaxed me to get on her Connor, and I did it. Now, I have not been on a horse in probably 15 years or so. And horses are who I am. But issues came up. And here I am sitting on Connor and it's very emotional and it just feeeeels so good to be one with a horse again! Wow, Jen, thank you!!!! I think YOU KNOW what that meant to me!!!!!"
Awww, that's awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great mom you have! Sounds like an excellent day
ReplyDeleteYeah, she's pretty amazing! It was a great day. Who can say no to horses, German food/beer and a good concert?
DeleteThat is really cool. My Mom is very similar, loves the ponies but life has just kept her away from them for so long. Considering my Mom is the main reason I even have horses it makes me so happy when I can see her on one. I'm sure it is similar for you.
ReplyDeleteIt is very much the same for me. She has her horse and donkey, but calls them her 'therapists'. It was nice to see her on a horse and so happy!
DeleteHow awesome! All I can think of is Jesses girl...because my hubby is Jesse and people always want to play that for us lol
ReplyDeleteHaha, at least you have a good reason to always remember him for that song, rather than calling him a one hit wonder :) He's got some pretty good songs other than Jessie's Girl, and like 10 albums or something.
DeleteAw, so glad you convinced her to get back on :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, seeing the smile on her face was just awesome.
DeleteAw your mom's Facebook update makes me sniffle just a little bit. I think I 'get it' more than you youngsters ;)
ReplyDeleteI believe that may be true. I'm glad you've stuck with it. You can just feel the emotion in her post, can't you? She also left me a handwritten note and sent several texts after she left with the same kind of emotion in them. I'm so happy to share horses with her.
DeleteShe must have been so happy! Dammit, something in my eyes again ;-D
DeleteI didn't ride for pretty much ten years, then I bought Flurry four years ago. Best decision ever. It's taken me two years to become confident with Aero but oh so worth it.
I hope your mom keeps at it. Tell her to buy a nice little Irish cob, they're the best!
Your saddle pad and fly bonnet don't match. THE SHAAAAME!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd very cool that your mom enjoyed her pony ride :)
Fixed that now. :)
DeleteAww that is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. . . of course now I'm imagining a second Cob and you and your mom doing mother-daughter rides.
ReplyDeleteOh, don't think I haven't had that thought myself. I wish! We have to get her comfortable being up there again, and maybe live a little closer!
DeleteSo neat!! :D
ReplyDelete