“Riding is an unseen, unspoken language of subtletics in which the rider and the horse are to be harmonious.” - Author unknown
My kids love horses, especially my daughters. They started taking lessons three years ago.
Lindsey Hinrichs is a very patient girl, good with horses and kids alike.
She is the one who has taught my girls everything they know.
This past weekend was our first horse show of the year. It was HOT. It always is on show days.
This year, both of my girls were competing. Karys on her horse, Puma, Brielle on a borrowed horse, Big Ugly.
Big (as I call him) is an older calm horse, he has one speed...slow.
He’s great for kids and first time riders. Brielle may have had some of the slowest times in speed events of the day, but she participated and that’s all she really wants at this point.
Puma is about nine years old, and a gorgeous black horse. He likes to do things his way every once in a while.
Before she started riding horses, Karys was very timid, she needed to learn how to assert herself.
Puma has done so much for her. It’s good when he acts up a bit, she has learned to just hold on and maintain some control, then he settles down.
Last year at a show, he took off on her as soon as he entered the ring. She was disqualified, but she got control and made him go back and do it over, the right way.
After that, he hasn’t pulled such stunts again.
The first show is always full of nerves and excitement. The horse feels what the rider is feeling and feeds off of it.
He was fairly good, just had a couple incidents. He got in front of the crows nest the first time and tried to turn around and do what he wanted, but she gained control and they completed the event.
The second time he did well until the kids all lined up in front of the judge. Once everyone started clapping and cheering, he got antsy and acted up. She stayed on him and they both calmed down some.
By the third event, she was a little nervous to go into the arena, but she did it, and it went very smoothly.
I love watching her on this big beautiful animal, her confidence and persistence. It’s a sight to behold.
She improves every year and we are slowly getting her to do new events out of her comfort zone.
This was her first time competing in pleasure. All things considered, they did well.
While the pair did not come away with any wins, they did come away as more of a team.
They are learning respect for each other, and deep down, you see the love they both have for each other.
Horses are falling by the way side. They are expensive and being replaced by equipment.
It saddens me as I have personally witnessed what a horse can do for a child.
I wish I was a rider, maybe with time, I will work my way up to some leisurely trail rides.
For now, I get so much joy watching my girls on these majestic creatures. Horses are very intelligent and can be quite empathetic.
When we are having a bad day, it always feels better after we spend some time just being with Puma, petting him and getting nuzzled.
By the time Brielle is old enough for 4-H and horse shows, Karys will have Puma broken in just as he needs to be.
In the mean time, I sit back and watch Karys grow. She has changed so much since she started riding. There is still a lot of growth to come.
They are not completely harmonious yet, but someday they will be.
For now, she just keeps trying, she is learning, you win some and you loose some.
You always get back on the horse.
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