Soon after I'd arrived, Marsali and a few of her friends decided to take me up into the mountains on a horseback ride. I've only gone horseback riding once before, so I was quite nervous! When Marsali told me that we weren't going to be using bridles, I was even more nervous. How would I EVER remember all of the leg movements?! Marsali led me over to Gyspy, the horse I'd be riding. After checking the cinches, I mounted Gyspy and tried to relax. Marsali soothed me by telling me stories about the first time her Mama rode without a bridle.
Once Tinaia and Audrianna had mounted their horses, we were on our way, heading in the direction of the campsite that Taryn and Angel were setting up for us.
After a while, my nervousness subsided, and I began to talk and laugh with the other girls. Unfortunately, their laughter distracted me, and I found myself giving Gyspy the wrong leg movement! My horse was now on a trail a little lower down the mountain. I was mortified that I'd forgotten a leg movement so quickly and pressured myself to stay more focused. I HAD to get these leg movements down pat! If Marsali and Anya (my horse-loving friend back at school) could do it, so could I.
After a few hours of riding, the girls and I were getting pretty sore. We'd all made it safely to the campsite, and aside from my horse being spooked by Pooka (the girls' canine companion) and my hair being attacked by a ladybug, I'd had a lot of fun. I was glad I'd gotten past my initial nervousness over riding Gyspy. We'd actually become great friends over the course of our ride together. I made sure to give her some love after I'd dismounted.
Soon we were talking and laughing around the campsite. We didn't want to start a fire, so we sat around a pile of pine-cones instead.
Have you ever been horseback riding?
Marsali and I chatted about the adventures we'd had in the past year as well as the adventures
awaiting us in Alaska. It was great to be spending time with her again!
You can look at the whole album of our horseback riding adventure by clicking HERE.
Have you ever been horseback riding?~Sophie
6 comments:
Wow, Sophie! It looks like you had a great time. I'd be pretty nervous riding a horse, too, but Charlie is a great rider. She has a horse named Edison (she named him after Thomas Edison, the inventor). :) I'm sure she would have loved to join all of you.
I hope you have a wonderful visit with Marsali and all of her sisters. :)
Tess
I love to ride! I live on a ranch so its practically in my blood. My friend Angelica rode for the first time this summer and she was nervous at first, too. But once you get going it's a blast. Glad you had a good time!
-Mac
Hey, this is Summer.
Wow, that sounds really fun, Sophie! :-)
I take horseback riding lessons and am saving up for my own horse.
Trail riding is totally the best!
I'm glad you had fun, and great pictures.
Love,
Summer
Your photos are amazing. It looks like you all had such a wonderful time!
Horse riding is a popular sport, which all kinds of people enjoy. It is a great combination of exercise and pleasure for all ages.
Horseback Riding Bryce Canyon
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