Bill's First 5K!

3.11 miles - Bill, me, and the kid

Ready, set, run away with the circus! Wearing my lucky Solmate Socks, because life is too short for matching socks

The kid and I spend 3 to 4 days a week jogging so we can compete in the local 5K events.  Bill decided to join in the fun and accompany us for the Cirque du Soliel run.

He did very well and I am proud to say we finished in the top 2/3rds of the pack.

There were over 750 runners for this event, plus there were walkers, all on the same trail. Some of the Cirque performers joined in the run while others rode bikes and offered encouragement as we jogged by.

After the race, there was a trapeze class for all the kids who participated, face painting, and pictures with the performers.  I am pretty proud of my little running troupe.  Can't wait for the 8K event in April!

Wind Tunnel? No Problem.

38 minutes - 1.66 miles - Morgan

Me: Psst, Morgie ... wanna ride?

Morgan: Have carrots? 

Me: Yep, a whole pocket full.

Morgan: Let's roll!

 

No time constraints and no path in mind, just focusing on spending time with my best girl.  The wind was blowing like crazy.  At one point, we got caught in a wind tunnel that started three feet to our left.  We stopped moving, shut our eyes and waited for it to pass.  Love my Morgan!

We got home just as Bill was pulling in the front gate.  Morgan called out to him, then ran up to the window and asked for an ear rub.  Stinking adorable!

I think I may have lost my horse

36 minutes - Rhulain - 0.71 miles

Bill decided to join Rhu and I for our walk today.  I asked him to hold her lead rope so I could get a picture of her with the sunset 

Then this happened ....

Yeah, they started walking down the street ... together ... without me holding the lead rope

He had her going up and down small dunes, over poles, and then he cuddled Rhulain. 

HE CUDDLED MY HORSE.

And she LIKED it.

The agony.

Don't get used to this you two.

Happy Birthday Morgan!

13 Minute Ride
Morgan - Solo
0.71 miles

Starting the new month out right ... full of cuddles and smiles

It was wet, cold, and windy yesterday.  Today it was wet, cold, and windy.  Since it wasn't getting any better, I decided to hang out with Morgan for a while.

 

We celebrated her "birthday" by sweet talking Bill into taking a few pictures of Morgan and I before we went for a ride.  Morgan found a few mints in my pockets and was happy to stand around snacking and posing.

Nothing says Happy Birthday like cheesy photos!

 

We only rode for a few minutes ... the wind picked up and was blowing sand in our eyes.  So, I rode Morgan home, untacked her, and gave her some warmed beet pulp before returning her to the herd.  

I just adore my Morgie girl and look forward to many more years with my bestie.

What's this green stuff?

Monday, September 1st  90 minute ride  95° 
Rode with Bill & Majesty and Glen & Pumpkin

Our insurance agent needed us to sign some paperwork and said he would drive out to our little town. So naturally, we invited him to join us for a horse ride.  We drove to the other side of our valley (a mere 11 miles away) and experienced a vastly different landscape.

Morgan: What is this green stuff?
Me: Grass Morgie. Give it a try.
Morgan: Nom, nom, nom, nom

Morgan spent most of the trail ride tasting the local vegetation ... but she always asked permission before snacking and never stopped moving unless I asked. 

I spent most of my time listening to my iPod and dancing in the saddle.  That takes some serious concentration and talent.  

Morgan and I lead the way most of the time and I'm glad to report I only lost the trail once (maybe twice). I did not admit this to the two guys following us ... what they don't know won't hurt them.  Besides, they were too busy chatting to notice me forging a new trail.  

Tried riding Morg with no reins for most of the ride.  She did exceptionally well.  I only picked up the reins three times and for less than a minute each time.  She responded to all leg cues and a gentle push on the side of her neck if I needed her to adjust her position.

In Which I Don't Ride Morgan

Thursday, July 17th  Left at 8:40 pm  Arrived at 9:00 pm (approx)  94°
Rode with Bill & Majesty, T & Morgan, Me & Sundance

T sent me a text asking if she could ride Majesty.  I asked Bill, but he said he wanted to ride as well, so I offered Morgan to T instead.  I pulled Ms. Sundance out of the stall and had some serious trouble tacking her up.  She has a pull back issue, so I can't tie her off. She held still for grooming and the saddle pad, but once she saw the saddle, she took off and headed towards the east fence line and got herself stuck between the turn out and the fence.  *sigh*  I was able to turn her around and bring her back to the saddle.  Once it was cinched up, she dropped her head and I thought everything was going to be well.

Morgan snacking under the full moon on 7/11/14

I pulled out Morgan's headstall with the bit, but Sundance threw her head straight up. T came over and tried to help by sticking her fingers in Sundance's mouth, but no luck. Bill came over and all three of us tried, but after 10 minutes we had to admit it probably wasn't going to work.  Bill reminded me that she had come from a dude string for vacationers and probably had very negative experiences with people pulling on her mouth.I switched over to the bitless bridle and she dropped her head right in and opened her mouth just as polite as could be.

Same picture without the flash ... love how the moon looks like it's resting just above her back

All three of us rode out the North driveway and down the street before turning back towards the house.  At the intersection we turned left and went to the next intersection,  Halfway to the intersection Sundance decided she wanted to be in front.  Ok.  We turned back and let them trot a bit before making them walk down the driveway to the tack shed.  

Bill and T continued riding for a bit longer while I untangled Sundance's mane and groomed her some more.  Everyone came back and untacked.  Short ride, but it was nice to see Ms. Morgan carting someone else around in the pitch black and doing so very well.

July 8, 2012 - Wasabi's Saddle Training

Saddled up Wasabi and had Bill lead her around with halter/rope combo while I sat in the saddle.  Did pretty well, no spook, but for the first lap around the house, her head was up and she wanted the lead.  Kept trying to get ahead of Bill.  He kept having to circle her to keep her in line, but by the second lap her head came down and she was better.

Never felt nervous; in fact I felt encouraged about riding her.