Ah, the sweet smell...

Ah, the sweet smell of horse, hay, and dung.  Jeremiah and I went to the stock show tonight with Spencer, Mark, and Ciara (sp?) to watch the show jumping grand prix.  Twas great!!  Spencer's mum always hooks us up with "backstage passes" and we ate, drank and schmoozed with all of Spencer's old crowd and horses.  Huge horses.  With heads as big as my torso.  In case you're interested, the jumpin' horses are much larger and thicker than Kentucky Derby horses.  The Derby horses are all muscle like the horses tonight but much more lean, obviously more efficient for running.  The ranch horses are all somewhat rotund in comparison and nappy headed but just as lovable nonetheless.  Maybe even more so.  I just love em all.


Speaking of horses.  I had a little incident at the ranch with a feisty redhead named Fireball yesterday.  Jethro, Sima, and I had a relaxing ride in the morning and I was riding Fireball so Sima could ride Sherman.  I was feeling really good, despite having never ridden Fireball.  Horses have a pecking order much like other species (chickens, wolves, etc.) and Fireball is the leader of the horses at the ranch.  Even walking, she's extremely excitable and almost hops in place from her pent up energy.  Jethro and I had decided to take the horses for another go to work on galloping and everything was simply lovely.  Absolutely exhilarating, in fact!!  There is nothing like taking off on a horse and feeling the fear and excitement of being in control but not at the same time.  Anyway, to make a long story short, we were galloping through a pasture and slowing down into a canter/lope.  I had bent down to dodge some trees and my foot came out of the stirrup while Fireball was doing some of her hoppin action.  The next thing I knew, I was tuckin and rollin sideways off the horse smack into the ground.  I knocked my noggin pretty good but everything else was fine.  I waited for Jethro to catch up to me, celebrated being alive, and then got back on Fireball and rode home.  SUCH A COOL, CRAZY, NECESSARY EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But next time I think I'll stay on the horse.


Pictures coming soon.  I've been a bit lazy this month.  Sorry.