The future seem[ed] bright!

I am skipping over March. Absolutely nothing exciting happened during that time except a bunch of leadline pony rides. I was trying to prepare myself (and a friend or two..oh, and my worry wart boyfriend) that I was going to start riding by April. The doctor told me NO riding until June! Thanks but no thanks..I worked extra hard to show my physical therapist I could and was ready to ride.

April (the longest, most eventful time)

FINALLY! My horses cut was completely healed (couldn't even tell it happened) and my PT gave me the "okay, but don't go running around wild or jumping crazy". So of course, what did I do that night? Go gallop through the hay fields. I couldn't help it. I had waited 5 months for this day. Bryce was wonderful. Just being back in the saddle was one of the best feelings in the world.

   

I rode everyday from that point on. Bryce seemed just as happy to get back into work. We started working on his lead changes and getting him to frame up. Changes were making him SO mad. He would throw little bucking/flinging fits.


Within two weeks, the progress was more than I could have asked for.


 Towards the end of April the barn was headed to a little schooling show. I figured we would go. Why not? It was just a schooling show. It would be good experience for Bryce. A little girl, named Gracie rode him in the walk/trot/poles class where they were champion :] I rode him in the 2'3-2'6 hunters and a 2'6 derby, where we got 2nd. I couldn't have been more proud.

After the show, we decided to see what all B was made of. After over jumping much of the little 2'6 jumps and barely using himself, we set up a gymnastics. Each time we went through, my trainer raised the back oxer one hole. We stepped over 3' and barely jumped 3'3.. the next thing I knew we were flying--hello 4'3! That night I found out just how lucky I was.