Steven's Little Honor Student.....

Three more rides since the last entry....You really don't think he can stay off her for very long do you? Not if you know Steven.....He even took her on a short ride solo....no fireworks, just a bitt of calling home to make sure her Boyz were still there and within earshot: they were.

She lopes, she lopes just fine now. First few times was a bit wobbly.....like running with a book on your head, figuring out how to move along without it going flying. Each time is steadier than the time before. She's a quick study that one.

Tianna and Steven took Dazzle and Sage out as I was working on stuff at home. They say there was no loping involved.....I only half believe them. For Tianna and Steven to refrain from any sort of speed activity without the watchful eye of Herself the Warden, would be like leaving 2 children in a room of M&M's without a parent and expecting them to not eat even one....Nah, ain't gonna happen....they ate an M&M, I just know it....

Steven and I decided to get out and ride this past Saturday afternoon, before the onset of 4 days of promised rain....All went well with the preparation.....Steven suggested we bring the video camera to get footage of Sage loping....so if there is any disappointment from this peanut gallery that there is no video, it is my fault! I just couldn't imagine loping along ahead, on Mr. Progressive, dropping the reins, to turn around and shoot video from the back of what would soon be a galloping horse, was somhow.....not my idea of a relaxing time....

With only a small amount of pouting, Steven saw my point....I really do, sometimes, prefer a ride that is not an ordeal, a fiasco, as was the rest of my week. This was one of those days.

She did great! Really great. Steven and I decided to try her all the way around the park. Lots of varying terrain to see what she can do....I'll tell ya! She can do! Steven was really thrilled with how smooth and comfortable she was climbing this hill that is washed out and rocky with roots.....None of the horses is smooth going up.....but Sage is. Steady and confident, without notice of new kind of footing...just marched ant a trot, right on up.

She led, she followed, she even trotted ahead.....and just a couple "ET"'s! from Steven when she threw a buck or two....not mean, not hard, but it was there. I was kinda surprised that his reaction took as long as it did once when I was watching....the head go down and the ears back.....pay attention Steven! But she was having fun......doesn't make it right, but I really think it was excitement.

Heading home, Silas Rd: long dirt/grass road with extended flat and clear areas that scream " speed, baby, speed!"....called to Steven to try her out...I think this is where the video camera woulda come in. I loped Caly, I hear him asking Sage for the same, behind me, a pause, then a LOOK! I turn around....she was loping, she sure was. Head nice an level, ears up, focused and appeared to be very smooth! She was also just a hair below gallop...very very close. Saving that for another day. It was really quite impressive that she had such a steady lope.....on the heels of Stinkerbell, who surprised me and didn't bolt.

All went well. Really well. Thinking I will try to get Steven to stick in this stage for a bit.....for perfecting purposes......before that eventual gallop. I reminded him, when he was riding ahead of me at a walk....and the distance between us was growing, that one of his primary concerns was if she would able to kepp up with Caly.....I got a thumbs up.

Please? Can I say it now? " I toldja so."

She makes a honking noise.....really: honk, honk, honk~honk....Gotta talk to Robin 'bout that one. Wierd: a mustang with a horn....5.0 maybe?