eeak! (in a good way!)

Had an interesting ride on the Big Guy on Wednesday - some great moments, but also one I'm-going-to-keelhaul-you-if-you-ever-do-that-again moment. It was extremely windy though, so I'm willing to forgive him if that particular glitch never happens again.

It's been either too windy or the ground has been harder than I like to ride on since Weds, so no riding at our barn, but over at CamLin...

My Aunt has her two gaited horses at a friends barn for a few months so that she can work them in an indoor before River Ridge. I bounced over there today to watch her work Toby and Fantasy, since she was planning on riding, and I haven't seen Fantasy under saddle since she last showed more than a year ago. Well, long story short...

I got to ride Fantasy! Ann has had her for a while now, and I'd never once ridden her. In fact, I was too terrified of "breaking" the wonder horse to even consider it. But bless her dear heart, Fantasy is a trooper - she's completely barefoot and still goes a bit above level and trots and racks up a storm! It took me a minute to get the feel for her (she's narrower than my guy, and she has a very different way of going), but once you get her going...!

I don't have much experience actually on different gaited horses - Adam (Havin' Fun), who I have the most experience with, is double-gaited (makes him great for trails though- just rack the whooooole way! ;p ), and getting him to trot was always the focus. I've been on just a few others: Toby (Harlem's Leading Star), who was quite a nice experience- he's very smooth and easy, and I remember riding Wally (The Country Rhythm), but I can't remember if I was ever set loose on him (I was really young!).

Fantasy. Is. Amaaaaazing! She's very nice to work with and a complete powerhouse, which I love. Racking was easy, just a moment of pilot error being the only oops! moment (I mixed up my right and left hands- could happen to anyone).

Sorry I babbled on, but I never thought I'd ever ride Fantasy. It's been a good day!