Fall!

Growing up in Florida, I never had the experience of fall. So now I'm thoroughly enjoying the beginnings of my first fall in Maryland! The past few days have been spectacular - clear, humidity-less, crisp. Perfect weather for riding and knitting! Superb nights for hot tea and snuggling under the covers (and oh, how the Squirrel agrees!)... And the house is finally cool enough for soups, baking, and socks. I love it!

And the best is yet to come!


Yesterday, despite round two of a cold that's hitting me hard, I had a fantastic ride on Addy. The wildlife was out - a fox scooted across the ring and some deer passed by us in the woods. Addy was moving well once we warmed up, and I fell in love with her all over again.

She's just so honest, sensitive, and responsive. She doesn't hold grudges. I try to mirror that.. it's not always so easy!

I've found that she works best when I'm not fussing about what she's doing wrong, but when I'm concentrating on riding correctly myself. How can she be off her forehand when I'm looking down? How can she have a soft mouth if I'm always fiddling with it? How can she be soft, happy, and balanced, if I'm not? She can't! For the next few months we're going to be working on the basics.. lots of no stirrup work for me, lots of circles, bending, and leg yielding. Lots of transitions using only the seat. (She always gets stiff and above the bit during a downward transition, which I'm sure is a direct result of me asking incorrectly.)

I learn so much from my Adventure.