We have become very, very attached to our stables here in Virginia. It's been such a positive experience for Eliza, and her confidence has grown along with her ability.
They're even learning to JUMP now ....
over the stiles in walk, practicing the leaning-crouch position
....which is
huge-amazing-wonderful when you're 9.
It's a happy place at these stables. Even Ian comes with to Eliza's riding lessons. He comes to visit the animals:
His favorite is the goat, named Snickers. The horses always get an apple from Eliza, but Ian makes sure he brings something for Snickers, too.
well-fed
Snickers wasn't as excited about the apple cubes, actually. But, he'll eat a sandwich (
we know this, because we overheard an older girl telling her group that Snickers had pulled her lunchbag off the table and eaten it.) He also likes dried cranberries and cherries, which is what Ian usually brings.
Today, Ian saw a fox just standing outside one of the paddocks:
That seems unusual for the middle of the day.
Maybe it's because he knows there will be extra apples & sandwiches sitting around. ;-)
But, the *best* part of the animal family is OF COURSE the new foal:
not even a full week old....
How can we resist such sweetness?
So, we give right in --
riding lessons are so much more than just one hour of time, after all.
Eliza and classmates in a flurry of love for the foal this week....I think
only one hoof is visible behind all that admiration. :-)
2 comments:
Jumping!!!! What???? Eliza's growing up so quickly!!! Awkk!
Seriously, she looks so comfortable riding and that's so fabulous (not quite like GG rode her horse..but, again, wouldn't GG love it?) And the goat..and foal..and the fox...such a lovely blog..(again)
I'll be sure to show her the photo of GG on her horse. I'd forgotten about that, but Eliza would love to see it :-). I was also pretty impressed that Ian cut that apple up into such a fine, tiny dice -- he doesn't EVER cut anything that evenly. Too bad the goat didn't appreciate it. However --- I am sure that SOME animal on that farm came along and enjoyed Ian's diced apple.
As for jumping, they go over the stiles in trot now. She is sooooo proud of herself. :-)
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