Um, this was not in my job description...

So sorry, old sports. This is my second post of the month! I am such a slacker. It's not my fault, Spode has been keeping me too busy to write. Like her, when I get home from a long day at the office all I want to do is watch TV with my buddy Senator. I don't have the energy to type. Do you know how hard it is to type with these giant hooves of mine? The delete button is getting worn out.

Anyway, we're on ride 23 now. We're sure on a roll now! I had most of last week off because it was too wet and who wants to ride when you're soaking (not me or Spode, that's who)?

She basically cleaned my masks everyday and rotated them. That was it, but it's a hard job keeping these things clean. Especially when I eat them.  

So I got a few days off followed by a free lunging day. That was a bit frightening because the kids were tearing around on scooters with hockey sticks. I wasn't spooky, just looking, so Spode was very impressed with me. I got plenty of treats for nothing! That's my kind of day.

And you got a picture with my ears forward. It's a win-win for everyone. 

After that, Spode and I went on our first ride in the fields. I'll admit, it was a little scary at first. The corn was blowing in the wind and making noises. I'm a big boy but I'm not tall enough to see over it. And it was my first time out with more than one horse, so that was another hurdle of the day. After a few minutes of jigging and prancing, I settled into a nice walk. It was a very long ride but pretty fun. I got a bit frightened when I had to make a turn with the woods behind me, but it wasn't so bad. I wanted to canter to get away from it but Spode said whoa. I made a compromise and cantered on the spot. Spode said I could learn to pirouette out there, whatever that means...

My other spook was at a tree trunk that popped out of nowhere (ok, I'm a little embarrassed about that one!). I just went sideways a couple of steps and then sheepishly continued on my way. It was a great ride. We walked all the way and I learned to put up with other horses near me. I'm up for round two!

I sort of thought round two would be today, but alas, I am back to the sand ring. I still had a new experience today though. Spode brought a friend out. I trotted up to see them and then they brushed me. Nothing out of the ordinary there; Spode has brought friends out to visit before. Spode tacked me all up and out we went to the ring. Spode hopped on (but first I had to make things difficult for her by chewing on my reins. I may have went too far this time--apparently we'll be working on that tomorrow!) and off we went for a brief ride. She told me she was just making sure I was my usual self today. Then she got off and gasp she asked her friend Pam if she wanted to ride me! What!? Two rides in one day? And I thought Spode was going to be my only rider for life!

I put up a bit of a fuss at the mounting block to let them know my feeling on the matter--after all, they never asked me what I thought of this plan, but Pam got on anyway. I really didn't mind once she was on, but Spode was more than a little tense. Holy helicopter parenting. Pam is a good rider and once I relaxed and made it very obvious that I was listening, Spode backed away more and let us do our thing. Baby steps, Spode, you're doing fine! It's like sending a child off to kindergarten or something. She's a hoverer.

You really don't need to follow us, Spode.

See? I stopped when she told me to. What more do you want out of me!?

She eventually let Pam have a trot on me, and I made sure I was on my best behaviour.

We're doing just fine! Heck, we're better than fine!

Spode was very happy with our ride. For the first time with someone else on my back, Spode said I went better than expected. She is one proud mama. And she said I look even bigger and better than she had imagined. Happy day for everyone.

One small step for Spode, one big step for me. But then again, every step is big for me. 17.1 and still going up! 

I'm a pretty fantastic 3 year old, huh? Fitzgerald's Gatsby always was a mature man. Just living up to my name, as usual.

Until later, old sports. There will be more riding for me this week!

Jay.