First Ride

Aimee, a  friend of ours, finally got a horse trailer so she can now trail ride with us.  V is in Texas at the Paint Horse Worlds with the VA State 4-H horse judging team and E just went to 2 shows yesterday so we had an extra slot on the trailer to take another horse.  So, Aimee's husband Shannon decided to go too.  Shannon has only ridden bareback with a halter in the field so this was his first time on a real ride in a saddle. 

 Of course we couldn't keep it simple.  Just walking wouldn't do.  We are in training for the next endurance ride so there was lots of trotting.  Aimee had told Shannon how to post but hearing is different from doing especially on Hank's big trot.  I told him to stand up and hang on.

 Shannon's saddle did a lot of listing to the right.  He had to make a lot of adjustments.  J was in front on Jessica and Aimee followed on Inny.  I think Inny remembered Jessica from the endurance ride two years ago and she stayed right on Jessica's rear.

 Hank kept his distance especially at the water crossings.  I think he remembered Inny from that ride too.

 Shannon did remarkably well for 8 miles in 2 hours.  I just hope he can walk tomorrow.

 I always enjoy the view from the top of the mountain.

 And sometime the views I don't get to look at much.

It started to pour down rain right when we were done so they loaded up Inny in the Barbie Trailer and went home.  Aimee wants to ditch Shannon for the next outing so we can go really fast.  I'm even considering training Thumper instead of Hank because his trot is sooo much smoother.  I'm still thinking on that one.