So now for the original wow post. My girlies had their riding lessons today. Riding lessons have been okay. Over the summer, they missed 3 weeks in a row due to the extreme heat. Then we got one in and missed the following week. So things have been sporadic and a little discouraging. I forgot to mention that after the 3 week hiatus, Audrey discovered some of her belongings were missing from the box she keeps at the barn. A very special metal hoof-pick with her name engraved on one side was one of the items...
We found out last week that most of the items (including the hoof-pick) were found! So today I picked Ava up from half-day kindergarten, treated the three of us to Happy Meals (we all got the same ugly kitty toy), and headed to the barn. I love that place. Diane, the owner and instructor, is AMAZING. She just loves kids. I mean she really LOVES them. And she loves horses, so it's a win-win situation. Think of someone who has unconditional love at first sight, stories to tell, and just encourages the shit out of you. That's Diane. A true blessing to our family.
Ava always goes first. She has ridden three horses at the barn. Snow White, Duelle, and Pearl. While she loves all three of them, Pearl is her girl. Ava's lessons started over the summer. Usually a 14 year old girl (the very sweet Elizabeth) would lead Ava through the lesson. They would groom the horse and then the horse would be led on a lead rope while Ava sat on top of it doing exercises and practicing posting. Gaining strength and balance in the saddle is a big part of learning to ride.
Diane is now teaching Ava. Today was Ava's second lesson with Diane. My wee-little girl, my five year old baby, my can't even tie my shoelaces yet, rides a beautiful Haflinger all on her own. And let me tell you-she wouldn't have it any other way. Five year olds don't need help and "can do it" all on their own-except when it comes to tying shoelaces and reaching really high things.
Watching Ava's independent spirit at work is a wonderful experience. From grooming, to mounting, to riding, she does it like it's second nature. It is so unreal to watch her just do it like it is no big deal; when it actually is a big deal. I love watching how my girls approach things-eagerly, without fear. Unless someone tells them what they are doing is hard, it doesn't register with them.
So today was like a lot of other days. Lots of reminding me that she's "got it"-no help needed here, Mom. Ava holding reigns and directing the horse around the arena just blows my mind. Today, Diane set out obstacles that Ava had to weave her horse through. She did it. Did I mention this is only the SECOND time she has independently rode a horse and she is only five years old?!?!! Then...oh- my- gosh, then...she trots!!! My baby is trotting? This is followed by Diane handing her a crop! "Here is a rainbow stick, you hit the horse with it, and it makes the horse go faster." Okay, she didn't actually say that...
Ava was working her cues. She clicked her tongue, she rocked in the saddle, she commanded, "TROT!", she bumped with her heels, then she used the crop. Controlling the force of the crop took some getting used to. She did quite well until she didn't. She was right in front of me at a standstill. She gave her cues and then WHOP with the crop! Pearl did a tiny little buck and cantered for a stride. Ava pulled her reigns and made her stop. She didn't freak. She didn't yell. She didn't fall. Then she learned not to do that anymore. The rest of the lesson went smoothly. Audrey and I both sat on the bench watching her in awe. I love that Audrey is impressed with her little sister's ability. I find that to be very heartening.
Audrey's lesson followed. We were counting the horses Audrey has ridden at the barn. Snow White, Pearl, Lola, Cloud, and Frank. Five. Today Audrey chose Frank. This was her second time riding him.
The first time she rode him, she had decided earlier in the day to spray her hair green. We arrived at the barn, and was told she could have her pick as to which horse to ride, as they all were in need of a workout. She immediately chose Frank. That is when Diane told us Frank's story. When he was just a babe, he got a decent cut on his face. Hence his name, Frankenstein. I told Audrey she and Frank were perfect for each other because she showed up with green hair.
Frank is gorgeous. I enjoy all of the horses at the barn, but Frank is special. He is a buckskin paint with two glass eyes. Glass eyes mean they are blue, which is uncommon. Two glass eyes is even more uncommon. Frank is also interesting as he broke one of his front legs and barely survived the ordeal. You never would have guessed this as he and Audrey cantered around the arena.
Watching Audrey ride is a little more challenging because I have Ava there always needing something. Today it was a quick ride to the gas station to get drinks. Then it was to visit the horses out at pasture. Luckily, the main pasture is at the back end of the riding arena. I was able to stand in the doorway and keep an eye on Ava while watching Audrey's lesson.
When Ava was finished looking at the horses, I walked to the middle of the arena where Diane sits. She sits on a leather swivel stool, following the girls as they do laps. Right when I got next to Diane, Frank and Audrey took off in a beautiful canter.
Usually when Audrey canters, she has to work really hard to keep the horse going. Audrey was able to keep Frank going-lap after lap-on and on. I got dizzy following them. Audrey's posture and control was the best it has ever been. Diane had to remind her to lift her hands and not rest them on Frank's neck. She asked Audrey to think about a jockey's position when racing a horse. They lean forward and rest their hands on the horses neck which is a cue to the horse to go faster. Frank was so mindful of Audrey's signals. I hope they continue to work this well together.
It is September and the weather is noticeably cooler. Hopefully, there will be no more missed lessons. Audrey has a couple of shows coming up. It would be great if she could ride Frank. Her first year of 4-H is coming to a close and Ava is getting ready to become a Clover Kid (4-H for younger kids). So much has happened in this first year. I can't wait to see what the girls do next.
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