Of Dragons and Divas

 I have ridden more over the Christmas break than I managed for the rest of December. We have been having mild, albeit gray, weather and I've been trying to make the most of it. 

The ground is still pretty soft

Most of my rides have been pretty good. I've been trying to be conscious of the tools Jane has given me and I'm happy to report that they are working. My friend, Cynthia has moved back home and I invited her to come out and have a New Year's Eve ride on Irish. I had been going on and on about how great both horses have been and how happy Julia and I have been with them. 

Guinness turned 5 on New Years Day

Ed and I have decided to convert to solar power and the panels are going on the barn roof. The work crew showed up to start the install that morning.  I am not sure if that played a role but both Irish and Carmen were lit. Irish literally pranced sideways up to the ring while Carmen was her old distracted, fire breathing dragon self. I tried to work her in hand and then to free lunge but she would just bolt to Irish which was no help for Cynthia. I went back and got my lunging stuff and worked her for a while. I rode and we ended on a good place. While Carmen was pretty hot and was feeling her oats (as they say) I was able to ride it out. 

Carmen: Who me? I'm an angel

I heard that a lot of other horses were pretty fired up too. So maybe it was the weather or maybe they sensed the passing of Betty White. 

Julia came out on New Year's day to ride and the horses were in a far different spot. Carmen started off really well. She did get a bit strong and then wired up about the chickens who joined us to forage in brush. Irish spooked which set her off and I just steered her in a circle at the canter until it felt like work.  

I have to confess that I'm enjoying her dragon-ness, especially now that I can ride it rather than cling and hope to still be on when the dust settles. 

Carmen: she just doesn't get my humour

Sunday I was riding by myself so I brought up my Pivo to record the ride. And I was thrilled with the ride. Carmen was calm and happy and really trying to figure out what I wanted. Karen had given me a piece of advice- she speaks out when she thinks something is good so she can look at the video later. I decided to try that and to make when things were not good. I was so excited to check the video but when I dismounted I saw that I had forgot to start it recording. Ugh. 

But I did grab a shot to show her foamy lipstick. 

Nice lipstick

The weather is going to be cold again and riding will slow up but it was a good way to start the year. 

How was your New Years?