Happy Halloween!

Do you know what happens when I have a Spanish horse, a fun Baroque saddle pad and bridle, access to a sidesaddle, and Amazon Prime? That's right, a silly medieval princess photoshoot!

Yeah. This happened.

We snapped these photos after a long day at the hunter pace (recap coming) when I was running on about 4 hours of sleep. DH is obvs not a professional (by any means) and he repeatedly ignored my suggestions on settings, so I got a lot of blurry crap shots, and lots that made me laugh. But some, I think really accurately capture how truly lovely this horse is, the relationship we share, and how she's made me a braver and better rider.

 

Last Friday I threw a sidesaddle on her for the first time -- after a 40 degree temperature drop in less than 24 hours. She couldn't have cared less, and cheerfully packed me around the field while I sorted out how to balance with both legs on one side and equitation that probably would have horrified an actual sidesaddle rider ;) she also tolerated the clunky decorative curb bit that accented the bridle with grace (and a minimum of head tossing, because let's face it, nobody's perfect!).

The goats escaping their pen and running amok in the yard during the shoot did interest her though.

So in love.

Pretty sure the neighbors drove by and saw us taking this photo and think we are certifiably nuts -- which is probably not far from the truth! ;)

I think the most valuable lesson I've learned over the last few years with my horses is to just do what makes me happy. And this silly little photoshoot made me very happy. It's confidence-inspiring as a rider to take a horse from a yearling and raise her up into such a solid citizen that she doesn't bat an eyelash when I throw things at her like spending all morning at a hunter pace and all afternoon wearing a sidesaddle while I try to figure out how to deal with a dress (seriously, how did they ride in these?? haha). She puts her whole heart into anything I ask, and I'm trying to take that lesson and let her teach me to be less of a scaredy-cat about trying new things. New things like what, you might ask? Well stay tuned for the Hunter Pace recap, and photos of us.... *drumroll please*...... JUMPING THINGS. I know, I'm as shocked as you are ;) hahahaha.

Even if he's not a professional photographer, I think I'll keep him <3