She has always loved horses. I can't really remember a time when she didn't. She has pictures, books, and sheets all covered with her favorite animal. When we took a trip to MT a couple of years ago, she was decidedly in her element. There were horses at the ranch where we stayed and she rode with our friends there for hours one afternoon. She's a cowgirl, through and through. Her self-chosen role models are Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. She loyal and won't even watch a Roy movie if the starring female isn't Dale. Good girl. She has a homemade "Roy & Dale" kit she keeps at the ready. Just in case a scene in her head needs to be played out in the yard.
We enjoy our little home. We're blessed with a big yard and mature trees. What we don't have on our little acre of paradise though is a pasture. There's no place for a horse here. Only those in the pictures. The kind that don't need room to roam or food to eat. So, for a very long time, AJ has only had daydreams of horses. She would occasionally ask about riding lessons, but around here you have limited choices and honestly, we couldn't foot the bill for any of them. Then one day, I found a potential option on a local site much like Craig's List. I contacted the owner and we surprised AJ with a visit to the farm and a chance to meet her new buddy, Phillip. And her trainer, Ms. Stephanie. She was overjoyed and so were we...
She started lessons back in April and looks very forward to every other Saturday when she gets to saddle up and ride the range. She's been working on horse care and learning how to ride. She laps it up. Every morsel. Her eyes get big and deep and I see pure joy on her face. As a Mom, it's a beautiful thing to watch.
Horse care is the best first lesson!
Here she is riding bareback and working on some fun tricks! We have said from the beginning that all of her years practicing her balance on Grandpa's knees have paid off beautifully in her riding :)
Here are some other pictures during various lessons.
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