Pony Room

Pony Girl, like any self respecting pony obsessed little girl, has a thing for all toys pony.  She is lucky enough to have her very own Pony Room tucked away on the third floor to store 75% of her pony toys.  She doesn't have to clean it and can put whatever posters she wants on it.  I thought I would share a glimpse into her fantasy life.

For Christmas this year, PG asked for odd things.  She had your typical Pony Roy@le and My Little P on the list, but she also had random pirate ships and castles on the list.  She kept telling me "I want this, but I am going to take out all of the pirates and use it as a horse ship".  Crazy PG.   

This is Leg0 corner.  

And the warm up arena.

The trail riding mountains.

A barn on the hill.

A few more barns.

What all the walls are plastered with...

The top of the pony rescue center.

She has a blast up here and we will likely move all of her new pony toys into this room.

Pony love

Pony Christmas post coming soon!

G Pony

The past two lessons we have been trying out a new pony named G Whiz.  Whizzy is a Medium Pony and is small enough for PG to be able to manage everything by  herself.  He is much more athletic, trots and canters very fast and takes his jumps BIG.

In essence...he is a true pony.  Along with being a true pony comes true naughtiness.  G Whiz has already put himself on Santa's naughty list once and is working hard not to do it again!  Ponies are headstrong, temperamental and try to bully you over.  The first time on Whiz and he spooked, jumped up and down bucking until PG finally fell off.  That marks fall #8 for PG.  My heart no longer jumps out of my throat and I am now able to remain calm without entering the arena.  After a few tears (and catching naughty Whiz after he full out galloped two loops of the arena) PG climbed back on and got to work.

This pony can teach her a lot - how to maintain control on the ground, how to perfect diagonals, build endurance and get the feel of a true pony who has more arch in his jump and step.  

So far, these two are having a blast!

Equis Vino

Living with a Pony Girl means the whole family has to get into horses.  I often find myself looking for horse themed wine to purchase and to show PG the label (and to enjoy myself).  Here are a few of my favorite Equis Vinos.

And who doesn't enjoy a good glass of wine ;)  I will keep adding to these as I find them!

This one is a favorite of mine and I always have a few bottles of it.

And this one has to be the best bottle!!!

Pony drawing

Not bad!

Oh Pony!

Where are we since November goal setting?  Making progress....but not fully in control of all factors.  Our plan with the Breezey girl is solid and both PG and Breeze are doing great (cantering full courses). 

But there is a wrinkle.  Since we, nor our trainer, own Breeze (the barn owns her) other people ride her from time to time.  Last weekend, a 300 lb man hopped on her for a trial ride (I was a wreck all weekend with worry for her).  While she is a nice, sturdy Quarter Horse, she is still size wise a pony.

See....Breeze has had a harder life in her short 8 years.  She has been a lesson pony, been ridden wrong by adults and has not had any consistent love.  So when she gets a blast from the past ride her wrong...she backslides.  You can even see it in the way she interacts with humans - its not the same love filled snuggling interaction you get out of our trainer's horses who know that people are to be trusted and are leaders.

For us - that means 20 minutes of our lesson is spent trying to correct her bad behavior and re-establish trust after someone else rides her.  Once she gets going and realizes it is PG on her (whom she loves) all is well.  It is frustrating though for PG and she has to be strong in riding through it (she handles her through some kicking, wriggling around and wanting to face into the wall).  I am proud of how PG handles her with no fear....but it is frustrating.  Not exactly what you want out of a performance animal working towards goals.

I, however, am pretty attached to the Breeze girl.  Her and PG have much in common and are in many ways kindred souls.  She is also showing much more promise than we ever thought....PG's trainer even got a lead change on her which is great!!

We are going to weigh our options though.  Tomorrow, Gee Whiz comes back and is actually a much nicer size for PG (a Medium instead of a Large).  PG LOVES Gee Whiz also b/c he is more comfortable to ride (size) but has a bouncier jump and canter.

Time will tell....we just love all of these ponies. Sigh - if money weren't an issue.

Hopping a vertical

Warming up

Really moving!

Love this cantering close up

The Gate - to date still the biggest jump PG has done

Hopping boxes like a pro - and to think PG used to be scared of these boxes!

Bye-bye!!