Boy, what a difference a year can make!

It was only October 2007 when Dory started taking her lessons with Gretchen. Shortly thereafter she was shareboarding Grace, and now our little fledgling is off (at Sunflower Farm) on her own with OTTB Gravano! She's even created a personalized blog for him, and his life so far is a really nice story. I'm really eager to watch their relationship unfold and grow. So if her posts are fewer here, that's because she's got a full plate with her new boy. I'm sure she'll check in here every once and a while.Meanwhile, Patti, Grace, Gem and I are enjoying every minute we have together. Patti and beautiful Gracie live life to its fullest, enjoying every happy ride.

Me and big ol' Gemmy thrive somewhere between complete laziness and serious adrenaline rushes. He's a funny, quirky guy but there isn't any other horse I'd rather have.

Sassy Gem!

And they're off!!

Tina and I were getting bored at work and needed to lighten the mood. So what better than to have a horse race in our cubical! We hopped on the mini Gravano that Bella painted for me and off we went! I was concerned with the herd behind me, and Tina was giving him the schtick.

Below I've put up some out-takes of me mounting and almost falling off.

Ride that piggy Tina!

I hadn't ridden in a week.

And for that matter hadn't even been to the barn the whole week! That hasn't happened since: It's been so long I can't even remember when?? (must have been during a vacation when I was out of town). Even if I can't ride I always make it out there to see Grace. So needless to say I was jonesin' for my fix. I was dying to get to the barn and was bummed watching the weather and thinking that we weren't going to be able to ride our Sunday ride outside. However lady luck was with us and the weather obliged by sleeting early in the am. By 7:00 it was clear and above freezing, all Tina and I needed. I got to the barn and as I walked through the door the familiar smells (hay and horse) and sounds of Javi, Cruz, Frederico & the rest of the guys working hit me at once & I smiled. For 7 days I missed this! As much as I love to ride I also feel right at home just being at the barn and going through all of my simplistic rituals there. For me, walking through the door is as comforting as being at home. It's where I belong and so I smiled, just happy to be there.
Tina arrived shortly thereafter and we tacked up in the quiet yet busy atmosphere of the morning barn routine and then headed out.
Even if there is nothing hugely special, on the trail there is always something that stands out. Today it was Gemmy's 'tude , Grace's speediness on the return and the 2 deer couples (yep, a buck & doe each) and separate group of deer in the woods we happened upon. Just enough to be a great ride and take us away for awhile and a story to bring home to my family.