Dream come true

Maddy loves animals and it has been a dream of hers for years to take horseback riding lessons. She studies horse books, draws horses and subscribes to Young Rider Magazine. It's something that hasn't gone away, a desire that grows as she gets older. She spent a few years helping (every day) at a Rescue Horse Farm in Wake Forest, NC. The horses were not rideable as they had often been mistreated and this gave her an interest in nursing animals back to health. She spent many hours learning how to feed and care for specific injuries,  cleaning stalls and caring for the animals no matter what the weather brought. So, as you can imagine when we moved to PA and no longer had a horse farm behind our house she has missed it A LOT. We have recently found two great 4-H groups in the area (Fur and Feathers and Horse and Pony group) and she has plugged into the group. She has already learned a lot in the program and will start on her 4-H project book very soon.

 

While visiting a 4-H group we meet one of the leaders who offers riding lessons where several of the girls in the group take lessons during the week. Maddy had already researched and knew she wanted to pursue English riding so this seems to be a great fit and the farm seems to be the closest of all the ones that we visited.

 

 

 So here is Mist, she is one of the ponies that the beginners start with as they are learning the basic techniques of English riding. It is only fitting that she is an older pony and one that many might tuck away in the stall and not care for but at this farm she has an important role of introducing new riders to the sport.

Maddy is so comfortable and hopped right on. It's as though there is an understanding between a rider and horse, they seem to sense when you're comfortable and without fear. I for one don't enjoy it and feel very vulnerable beside these big animals.
The farm seems to always be full of eager kids cleaning, grooming and taking care of the needs of many horses.

Here Maddy is getting instructions on the basics of riding. We will very soon be looking for English Riding gear so if anyone out there is re-selling gear please let us know

Concentration....There defiantly is NO laziness in English Riding. Many things to think about while riding. Posture, steps, position, leaning, jumpin

Happiness, deep down within. All smiles for sure...she is counting down the days each week for her next lesson.

Maddy was so excited as she learned the jumping position

All smiles, a dream come true!

Meanwhile, I have an hour to myself each week and I love the view at the farm. Just beautiful.

here is a video from this week...