[RC] Preride testing of a youth... - SpottedracerAs many of you know - I've got a 'almost 8 year old' horse crazy daughter... and her 13hh SSpony - who can outdue, outjump and outlast my fast bay mare... So the child's been trying to prove to me that she's ready to be an endurance rider... Every 3 weeks, I've been taking her with me to Edwin Warner and doing a FAST 8 miles... Two weeks ago - we did two laps (16 miles) in under 2 hours.. Darn pony barely had a sweat going, heart rate as low as my mare - DOVE into her hay/water during the break... So this sunday (weather permitting) - I've challenged Katie to 'prove' she could do three laps with NO complaining.... I'm thinking she's going to prove it... Yep, she has even decided to 'ride like Momma'.. Since she's never had legs long enough to reach stirrups - it wasn't a big transition for her to go to a bareback pad.. And she agrees that it's 'much softer on the butt' than her saddle... sigh... now I've lost the use of my 'training bareback pad'... She's even figured out that it's easier to tack up with as well - so now she's even doing her wed. jump training in my pad! So I've secretly found - and ordered - a nice plush pink pony bareback pad, neon pink rein/bridle set and a nice plush purple pony western saddle pad/with matching padded breast collar and girth... My mother's ordering her a pink helmet (she uses one of my schooling helmets currently) and a protective vest....Granted, she loves the neon pink padded britches I made for her over christmas... I'm thinking she can join me the second day of LBL - when I'm doing another LD on my bay mare.. I'm trying to figure out - how to have kind've an 'impromptu' birthday party during the end of the ride meeting the night before.. Maybe have the Fruthe's present her with the 'presents'? She LOVED the awards cerimony at City Slickers (haven't got her to shut up about endurance since!)... So I'd like to also come up with some type of 'award' for them to give to her at the Sat ride meeting (regardless of if she completes or not.. Maybe a 'the most pink' rider award? **grin**) What-do-ya-think? Bring cookies for everyone? Maybe find a pink Breyer horse for her 'award'? - LP (proud Mum of the 'pink' rider) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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