Saturday, January 2, 2016

TEAM 105 - PRINCESS BUTTERCUP (MICHIGAN)


23 comments:

  1. Alaina again with my main ride Lucy or as my husband affectionately calls her "Princess Buttercup." Lucy spent the greater part of her life producing a few babies and being a pasture puff, what she lacked in education she made up for with her calm, willing and sweet demeanor. Her life changed drastically in May 2015.. Maybe had she known my plans for her she would have behaved more like "the red dragon."
    In 2015 we put in lots of groundwork, 91 rides, 7 camping trips, and 1 show. She was taken out of her comfort zone and introduced to new experiences nearly every time we went out and each time accepted the challenge with flying colors. She is becoming my "steady" and a few months ago I realized she has accepted me as hers. As she will be mine for as long as I am privileged to call her my partner.
    Our goals for 2016 are not about the miles, or the ribbons but the quality and quantity of time spent nourishing the bond we have started to form in the past 8 months. If it's a lap around the field or 10 miles, when we are done m I will whisper "thank-you" in my horses ear and give her a kiss on her sweet cheek and be grateful I had the opportunity to get in the saddle.

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  2. 1/5/16 1.7 miles first ride of the year!

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  3. 2/7/16 1.01
    Creeping on a year of being Lucy's partner, I have been noticing the bond we have developed with our time spent together. Today she had me in near tears as my love for this mare makes my heart feel like it will explode with happiness. Today we played in the arena with her "red dragon" milling around to stretch her legs. It's been super muddy in their paddock so I thought I'd bring them both over. Lucy and did some groundwork then I hopped on bareback, a few laps at a walk and started a nice jog at which time Willow decided it would be fun to tear around the arena. No reaction from Lucy as we were focused on each other. After our lesson I thought I would let Lucy be a horse and play, I take off the bridle put her halter on and walk awa to talk to a friend on the rail. I turn around and Lucy is right where I left her looking at me. I walk over show her it's okay to leave her spot turn back around and go to rail. I feel a presence behind me and Lucy is standing to my right. She could go play wth her friend but she chose me. It's the small wins that matter, being chosen over her equine roommate when she had the opportunity to choose. And she picked me. 😍

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  4. 2/27 .74 mostly a groundwork day, but hopped up to translate into riding

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