Our Five Ring Circus: Equestrienne Extraordinaire

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Equestrienne Extraordinaire

I have been waiting for this moment since I became a mom.

When I was pregnant, I imagined my child riding my horse someday. Dylan experienced visiting our horse at the stable at an early age. He loves going to the barn to see Cherokee. He will ride Cherokee a bit, but loses interest quickly. He's just not that into riding....and that's okay. I can't force him to do it. Dylan is just the kind of kid that likes to hang out at the barn, not ride.

Lexie has always had a special bond with Cherokee. But she couldn't get over her fear of being on his back. The most she would ever do is sit on his back with me, but it still freaked her out.

Oh, I tried. They loved each other so much that I tried. As soon as I would lift her up she would tense up and shriek.

But something changed on Monday. On our usual visit to the barn, I asked Lexie if she wanted to sit on Cherokee, like I always do. And this time she said yes. I was shocked! I asked her again, and she walked over to me and said yes again. So I cautiously lifted her up. I sat her on his back, and kept my hands on her just in case.

She pushed me away! "No, I ride him, mommy!"

I backed away a bit, and watched as she got used to sitting on her horse.


I watched as the smile slowly spread across her face.

And then, there it was. The spark in her eyes. The same spark that I imagine was in my eyes the first time I rode a horse. I was addicted.

She is addicted.


And she rode him. She actually rode him. Tutu and all.

*Riding pictures to come soon! I couldn't step away to take riding pictures, so I need an assistant to come to the stable with us next time!

11 comments:

  1. She looks gorgeous up there! I can't believe she's riding at 2...wow!

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  2. How very neat! She's definitely a natural! And what a good horse that is too!

    I didn't start riding till I was 11 and was hooked then, but with 4 kids no horses for us now, maybe in a few years!

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  3. How cute is she... oh i love her little smile up on that big horse. I bet you are just as excited as her and you both can't wait to get back there.

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  4. OMG to cute! What a wonderful joy for you to see and experience with her!

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  5. she looks so happy and cute up there! like she BELONGS :)

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  6. YOU. HAVE. A. HORSE.

    I don't know whether to hate you or love you.

    I do know that I am insanely jealous.

    I grew up spending my summers on a ranch in British Columbia, it was a summer camp, and it REVOLVED around horses, and I have loved them since I was a little girl. There are days when I miss the disgusting smell of the barn, and if I get the chance to get near a horse barn, I breathe in DEEEEPLY (and then gag a little) and remember the good old days... learning to jump while on horseback, and then learning that it's just stupid to do that in a western saddle... lol... loping through fields... aaaaaaaaaaaah I think I'm gonna cry!

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  7. How sweet...It is fun seeing our children do and experience things weve dreamt of for them! I am so happy she enjoyed herself. The pictures are great! Lillian took a pony ride a few months ago and still talks about it! Have a great weekend.

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  8. How sweet! I can't wait to see the riding pictures!

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  9. That is so amazing! I would love that for my daughter, too one day! She looks adorable!

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  10. I LOVE your horse, gorgeous.

    You're daughter looks precious sitting up there with her pig tails and tutu! I'm sure she'll be hooked now!

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