Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Most Improved

The Copper Pony

I am so amazed with my family and their horses (or the horses they rented or borrowed) this past weekend. Everyone handled them in any situation that came up and we were all respectful when any rider needed some help, or a moment to school their horse through a minor issue. After all, it's about making sure the horses are exhibiting proper behavior, the rides are safe, and the riders are comfortable- and having fun! However, after watching my mom with her horse Dusty this past week, I have to say that I am especially proud of her. If there was a "Most Improved" award, I would bestow it upon her. Especially in lieu of her very recent fall from her Copper Pony, which you can read about here.

My mom has only been riding horses for a couple of years. Your first fall or toss off of your horse can really shake your confidence, as I have read about in various blogs and witnessed firsthand with my sister. My mom had to rush to the ER to get stitches in her lip and had some sore muscles and big bruises, but she climbed back on Dusty the next morning and rode that pony on a 2 hour trail ride, on steep wooded trails she'd never been on before! It wasn't easy for her, it took guts, and admittedly, she was rather anxious. But she got back in the saddle, leaped over that first hurdle, and everything was fine.

Handsome Copper Pony

During our family trail course and rodeo, my mom's pony did such a good job for her. He did what she wanted him to do, he didn't shake his head or fuss with his bit, he walked calmly on the trails and was overall a steady Eddy. I don't think she could have asked for a better weekend from her Dusty. I'd say it was a huge confidence booster for them both. I think as a team, they've really matured in the past year. It takes time to get to know a horse, time to learn to ride them, and, depending on the horse's personality, time for them to learn to respect you. What I love about the Copper Pony is that my mom will always grow and learn from him. He is just enough of a challenge for her, and being as smart as he is, I think he always will be. He is not a dud, or a babysitter, by any means. He is a horse, not an over-sized house pet, and he will sometimes react unexpectedly in situations, as horses do- as my mom learned from the day of her fall. But overall, he is a good, safe horse, and, as my cousin Saddle Mountain Rider calls him- "Trusty Dusty."

Copper Pony and Dusty Devoe

Great job mom, it was nice to see you and Dusty in your element this year and really grow together as a team!

I'll share more exciting snippets of our family trip this week as I get my pictures downloaded and edited, as will the rest of my family on their blogs, so be sure to check them out too!

18 comments:

  1. Yay! I applaud your Mom , too. So glad she didn't let such an injury stop her from continuing to enjoy her favorite past-time and her fav..Dusty!

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  2. What a sweet post to your Mom!

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  3. Thank you my Pony Girl! I had a great time with my Trusty Dusty! He was such a good boy. I was so busy I didn't have time to worry about anything! I think we have and are still building that trust/love relationship! Spending time daily with him is my passion, and I think we are becoming a great partnership!!!

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  4. How nice to dedicate a blog to your mom! Awwww! How did your Boy do? I would love to be able to say I rode with my family but sadly....I'm alone, none of them ride or live nearby.

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  5. I also noticed how well mom did with Dusty and how much better they are together this year! I am also very proud of you mom! Way to go!!

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  6. Heck I am proud of your mom too . That is so cool that you all get together as a family like that .Give tham both a big hug from Johnnie and I !

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  7. Dusty is so pretty! It is really hard getting back on after a fall! I am very impressed with your Mom! I wish my Mom rode!

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  8. Yes cousin, you really made us all proud! You've done alot of work with him. The growth is so obvious. We had such a great time didn't we?

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  9. What a fantastic story! Kudos for to your mom for sticking to it and making it a go. It can be so tough after a fall and to rebuild that confidence again. Glad she is on the go again on her sweet boy.
    I love that last shot of your mom and Dusty. That is a keeper!

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  10. Great post on your Mom. Looking forward to seeing more photos.

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  11. Yes...my Sissy and Dusty made a great team!!! She's come a long way baby!

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  12. Yeah, your Mom cowgirl'd up! I don't think her little sister would have let her get away with anything less! I heard lots of tales from my Pony Cousins. I can't wait to hear from the rest of you! And see the pictures!

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  13. That's awesome!! I agree if there was a "most improved" she'd be your gal!! I'm so proud of her for getting on the night after her accident..I'm glad she and you all had a great time!!

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  14. I have to say, when Poco tossed me, it cleaned my clock so badly, that I didn't even think about it. Heather and Nita brought him back to me and I was on before I knew it. I remember getting back on because my leg was hurting, but I don't remember the ride.

    Good for you, Dusty Devoe!

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  15. Sweet post! Your mom is doing so well with her Copper Pony! I can't wait to hear all the stories from your trip!

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  16. Your mom is a trooper!! And girl those pictures are beautiful!! I love the black background with the sun coming in. Awesome shots!!

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  17. I know how hard it is to get back on a horse that you have fallen off of. It takes a real vote of courage from deep within sometimes! I am lucky I have never had a serious horse injury! I wonder if your mom likes to show off her battle scars!!! They help make her a bona fide cowgirl!
    Yeeehaw!!!!

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  18. LOVE the lighting on the photos of your mom and her trust steed.

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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