and now, it's all about Her

Well, really, when you're a mom, when is it *not* all about Her?  Or, truthfully Her and Him, in my case.  Which is really how it's supposed to be, right?

Anyway, it's time for Her introduction.  And as much as she'd like to do it herself, I'm stepping to the plate.  My blog, Chicky, my way!  ;)  (yes, I do call her Chicky...)

Erin and her current, best-loved, lesson pony

She's Erin, the ten year old who turned my life all a whirl with her birth.  Don't they always, with that?  I suppose I should've guessed what our life would become when she was born 2 weeks early.  In a different state.  (I went to visit my sister, and whoops, labor!)  Anyway, she's been an amazing child right from the very start.  I know, what mother doesn't think that of their child?  But truth is truth.  Amazing.  Right from the start.

When Erin turned six, she started expressing an interest in learning how to ride.  (Can you hear my YAY!  And then, following, my husband's big ole GROAN?  LOL)   I wanted Erin to be just a tad older when she started riding (and also had to convince non-horsey husband that it would be a good activity to start...real reason.).  So we held off other than a few rides at the barn my sister and niece rode with.  Since my sister and niece live in a different state, those few rides were few & far between.  But I immediately saw the love bloom in Erin's eyes with that first lesson...

First time on a horse!  Well, that wasn't a pony ride :)

Finally the time was right for regular lessons, on our home turf.  A friend of mine had her Quarter Horse in training with a barn that sounded exactly like what I was looking for.  Because I was very specific in what I wanted.  So I contacted the barn owner, who also happened to be the one who worked with beginner kids and spoke with her at length.  We hit it off well, she seemed to provide what I wanted.  We then went to visit my friend at her barn, and observed a lesson and spoke with the owner/trainer again.  I went home and slept on our visit.  And decided it was right.  And signed Erin up for lessons.  And saw that love continue to bloom and grow in her eyes each time we walked into the barn.

We continued on at that barn and Erin got a fantastic start.  Her instructor was wonderful, perfect for a first timer.  Erin was learning so very much.  And not just about riding, but also horsemanship.  As it should be.  Her lesson horse was exactly what a lesson horse should be for a beginner rider.  And we really enjoyed riding there.  Because yes, I started riding there too.  It was a good place to be.

My girl wanted to learn how to lunge one day...so she did!

But there was a catch.  Really, two catches.  First, was the distance.  We were traveling an hour.  One way.  During rush hour.  On a Friday.  So yeah, two plus hour commute for a half hour lesson, plus half hour tack/untack.  Made for a long day.  So long.  And I was getting tired of driving...and even Erin complained of the drive.  But we carried on.  And commuted.

Erin and her first lesson horse, Blaze.

This barn works with riders of all disciplines, but does specialize in Western Dressage.  So she started Western. But time for the Second Catch.  After a while riding Western, Erin decided she wanted to ride English.  Like her cousin.  And she wanted to jump.  Like her cousin.  So when she said she wanted to switch disciplines, out came a close contact saddle and instruction was switched up from Western basics to a more forward, all purpose English instruction.  And it worked.  And worked well.

English saddle and lots of pink!

But finally, I decided it was time.  Time to switch.  To a closer barn.  And one that would allow Erin to pursue the discipline she really seemed interested in.  Sure, we could have stayed at the other barn.  And Erin would have done fine.  And probably would have happily been jumping and dressaging at the speed of the barn we were with.  But she was really enamoured with the whole hunter scene she was watching her cousin becoming immersed in.  And what momma doesn't want their child to become involved in something with their whole heart?

Every child must at some point ride a cute little Appy!

So I started the search again.  For a hunter/jumper barn that was located closer.  Luckily, I found one with relative ease.  And hey, it was right in our backyard!  So there we are now.   And Erin really loves this barn (not that she didn't the other, mind), and has a great relationship with her coach.  She's made some wonderful friends, and has started a bit of local showing. And I anticipate we'll be here for a while.  She's already got plans for bigger showing, joining the active IEA team, and eventually owning her own horse.  So that's where we are.  And where we'll be.  Enjoying the barn.  

PonyGirl must match all the things...