Last night something wonderful happened.
It’s been hot. Too hot to ride with the temps in the 90s and the humidity above 65. But there was a slight breeze last night and I could hear thunder in the distance- a promise of relief that never came.
I decided to jump on bareback for a few moments. My thought was to navigate a few obstacles and then hose him off.
Jigs cooperated- well, in between trying to grab the long grass at the edge of the area. We trotted around a bit. We chased the big jolly ball.
And then something wonderful happened. I wrapped my legs around his rib cage and we loped!
Honestly it was totally by accident. Normally our transitions are fraught with bumps between lope and trot or walk.
Not this time. Jigs picked up a carousel type lope and transitioned back to the walk smoothly after a few strides. I was shocked. Tears filled my eyes.
At first it was an accident. Then I asked for it. We did it again, and again.
The last time I loped bareback was as a teenager on Freedom! I never thought at my age I would be able to do it.
Thank you to #thebesthorseintheworld!!!