Crossing the Country

With rain showers and a pervasive mist in the air, we took to the back fields to play on the cross country course today. A large group of riders, with a wide range in ages and experience, we played over logs, stone walls, ditches and banks. We dabbled in riding lines and connecting courses. Ewan worked on the steering with his lovely pony Ginny, who doesn't see why she should jump anything if she is not kept on the line to do so. And when they got it right, they were -- as you can see -- just great.

We gasped when Abby decided she had the power and scope to do without intervening strides coming up the double set of banks, and then cheered when she corrected herself next time through. This was the first time she's ever been asked a question like that, and perhaps Chris rode in a bit too firmly the first time through, but it's all about educating the horses and riders, producing happy, confident athletes. Mission accomplished.

We coped with one very naughty and opinionated pony who gave Morgan a hard time, but Morgan triumphed. He'll be wonderful when he gets some more miles on him, and understands that No means "NO" and go means "GO."

We dealt with sun, and mist, and the occasional passing rain shower. We learned about riding in company, with horses that were keen and happy to be outside, not in an enclosed ring. We went up hill, down hill and learned about keeping the horses in balance through all of that. Bailey came along to give a lead over the ditch for the less experienced horses, and in the process taught Kate about riding over them herself.

In short, we had a blast at Fox Point Farm, and the weather could do nothing to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of horses or people. There are almost fifty different obstacles up in those fields, suitable for a lot of different levels of riders and horses. We've produced three horse/rider combinations that have won medals at the North American Young Riders' Championships in that field, as well as countless other horses who have gone on to great and successful careers. It's a fun place to be, and a wonderful way to spend a day.