12/20/09- Barrel Practice Day Three

Today went really well. I only practiced the barrel pattern a few times, and then went riding with my brother. I walked the pattern a few times; she still had it down to pat. So, I trotted it once. She was AMAZING! She had really snappy, sharp, clean turns (what I did was trot up to the pocket, break down to a walk, walk around the barrel, and then trot on to the next barrel). Then Samuel and I went riding. He rode my gelding, Blue and I rode Diamond. We rode around our property. Samuel is still a beginner rider, but loves to "trot race". So, we were having a "trot race" when Blue decided that Samuel should learn how to lope. He took off in a Western Pleasure like lope and Samuel did well. Then Diamond took off. A few days ago, she wouldn't have, but she SLOW LOPED!! I was so proud; even if it was just a few strides. She did very well today, and since Christmas is coming I probably won't get to ride that much this coming week.