1st Ride

Kim on Rock, Laura on Onion, Becky on Iowa (no corn jokes please!), Mike on Nick, Dean on Little Owl, Matt on Moccasin, & Kilian on Chief.

We rode with a wranger along the Olive trail - spotting antelope, deer & cattle. It was a beautiful sunny day; not too hot but still a welcome relief to enter the aspen woodlands. As we rode up one of the mesas; we could see for miles & miles across the plains.

For a 1st ride for most of our group - it was pretty impressive; they rode like they were born to the saddle. Kilian was greatly relieved not to be riding a horse where his feet touched the ground. Everyone who watched him bound on his horse as graceful as a gazelle commented "this kid's going to be able to ride!"

Much to my great relief - riding a horse was a little like sitting in a rocking chair - certainly more comfortable than sitting in a chair. I even managed to trot a few times.

Philip can't ride. This afternoon, he and Kilian went skeet shooting - they just returned home. Both were successful - Philip hit 50% of the clay pigeons & almost 100% of the clay rabbits and Kilian hit almost 100% of the clay pigeon & most of the clay rabbits. Both look tired & hot. But they are excitedly recounting shot by shot...fascinating, Not!

I'm not riding this evening - not going to push my luck; will settle for morning rides. But the rest of the gang is anxious to go again. Kilian's going to ride with the Chandor's, as he can easily keep up the pace. The rest will take a wrangler to help them get a little more experience - I think by tomorrow evening; they'll be riding without needing a wrangler.

That's all for now.