February Horseback Riding, Love it! - Hershey

Beautiful weather.  There was just one other person on the ride today a man I had not met before. He was on Duke behind me.  Hershey was kinda off his game today but I am fine with that. He stopped 3 times during the trots.  I imagine it is his shoe or something. Hes a sweet guy and a great ride so I was happy to just be there.  We went around the lake, so when we go thru the clearing that approaches the lake we took a left to go around the lake. Whew it has been so difficult on the trails in January that this was the first time since last year that I went that way on a ride. Also the trails have been so icy this is the first time I have trotted in a few weeks.

It felt like spring.  In the mid 40s and I was loving it.

Enja was in the front on Winston and Amanda was on Blue and in the back for the most of the ride.  I think that those two are both great and it was great to have 2 guides on the trail.  I was so surprised to see that there wasnt a ride before or right after I arrived back at the corral.  Cars arrived at 1230 for a ride at 1pm most likely so things are picking up.  Sarah said that yesterday was good rides because of the warm weather also. Its good to know that the hay is getting paid for so that the spring will be a good one for Bobby and the Farm.

We trotted 4 times, as I said the 3rd and 4th time after the hill Hershey slowed down.  I did ask him to pick it up but he was feeling like stopping.  Duke didnt tailgate at all.  The man on Duke had a scare where he cantered for him because the man said that Duke was spooked.  I miss pretty Duke. I may need to see if he's up for a ride next week, if I get my homework finished.

Bobby's kitty was so friendly I petted and hung out with him after the ride for a while. I have included the pics from him in this write-up.  Hes so sweet he was laying on my shoulder and back while I was talking with the horses.

Just before the woods at the lake.

Woods at the lake,  this is where a huge branch losened from the treetops and Domino stepped away from the trail where it would have fell.  He's so smart. My hero.

Here's where we took a left to go around the lake.

Riding along the lake.

I love this shot of Enja.  There was ice on the lake at the edge and the middle where lots of fat canadian geese were hangin out goofin.

Crazy kitty getting pets.

Its hard to balance on the edge of the fence here w/o me helping out.

Couple of the roosters being cute.

Im not sure who this is?  Winston?  I dont know. But he was a sweet one and I petted his nose.

Cute kitty wants as many pets as possible.

Goats hanging in the sun.

Colorado Springs Riding Feb 2012

The stables are just outside of the main city.

Back from Colorado yesterday.  I had the most amazing experience riding at Academy Stable that I had ever had.
Drove from Denver directly to the Stable in Colorado Springs.  We arrived earlier than scheduled and drove quick as possible from the airport. We needed to take a wicked early flight from Boston to get in as soon as possible and then we could use the time after 8 hours to relax.  Steve agreed if I would fly into Denver (which I did not want to do)  he would go on a horseback ride in Colorado if the weather was fair enough.  Both I was lucky enough to have on Monday. The ride was almost un-describable.

Our Guide, Cassie, she was amazing she gave us a beautiful tour of the Garden of the Gods.

On the left is my horse Brian a truly skilled a full of vigor.  Walter is here posing with Brian. I like Walter because he gave me the insight to Brian's lively personality and it was just what I was praying for on this experience. My horse Brian is a strong, feisty horse that gave me a thrilling ride that was both safe and an experience of my life with any horse I have ever known.   Thanks Academy Stables for all your fantastic work it was a total pleasure from the phone conversation to the smart and professional service.  Cassie was a real cowgirl that knew her horses and gave us a great ride and tour and has a great smile.

Brian is my horse I didnt even know when I took this picture.

The undertaker  :)

I got up on Brian without any help for the first time.  It was amazing.

I loved Ridge Riding with my horse Brian, our guide Cassie, her horse Miss Lily, Steve and the Undertaker.

On the way home we went the long whay through the mountains to see the continental divide.  On the way we saw so many horse ranch's.  Here is a shot of some horses getting a drink and grazing on the edge just outside of Denver.  Amazing land.

Rode after a few weeks I was Jonesing - Hershey

Colleen answered my text with lets go. It was a beautiful day and the big ride had just gotten back.  I was lucky enough to get on Hershey.  I love when Sheila and Amanda are working on the ride.  The trails were icy.  I had not ridden in the wicked ice before.  The week before there was a great snow storm and I was so tempted to ride but decided it was too snowy.
Today I took the truck and picked up Colleen. I text her and she texted back in a min, 1pm lets go. I love that about her. My camera died so I was mad. I took a few pics with my phone.  It was so good to see Hershey again.  There was a huge ride out when we got there.  Only 3 people went with us on the ride so together it was Colleen, a mom and her two daughters.  Colleen in the front with Colleen on her horse Midnight. The mom was behind me on Duke. I didnt like how she rode him.  The one daughter was in front of me the other was behind her Mom.  They didnt seem to smart I had to tell them to stay in a line and while walking up the hill the girl took her horse and passed her mom and me.  I told her not to pass and to get back behind me.  This was strange because we had just started the ride and they were out of control with her horse.
The ice was intense for the ride. We didnt stick close to the lake at all.  We took a right at the lake followed the path down and went to the right onto another trail.  The ride was very beautiful and the temp was 45+.  I liked being with Amanda, I told her that I was taking the Colorado Trip.
At the end of the ride just after the boarders barn there is a huge strip of ice going down the road.  When Hershey got on the piece he slipped many times.  I cant say hi lost his balance but hearing him slip his shoes on the ice and feeling a little change in balance was wicked exciting.  I took some pictures of Hershey and Domino hanging out in the corral.  Those two are so cute.
Sheila was riding Tiania, shes new to the herd.
It was a great ride.  I cant wait to go back!