Since she could talk, Cressey has wanted to go to pony camp with her sissy. She's taken three lessons over the last few months, whenever we could get her a lesson (we are on the waiting list for a regular spot). While she gets braver and faster and went further each time, all she's done so far is ride around the ring.
She joined Helen Grace at pony camp this year AT LONG LAST, and man, she was ready an hour early EVERY DAY. Despite the extremely high temps, she came home each day super super excited about getting to ride her horse and running through the sprinklers in the ring at the end of the day. As the show approached on Thursday, I was worried she'd be too nervous to perform, but she was super duper excited to show us what she'd learned.
On the morning of the show, HG was supposed to ride at 10:30 and Cressey at 11:00, and as soon as we got to the barn, they all abandoned me and had much more fun with their barn friends and horsies. As the morning progressed, the outside ring where HG's show was got a little behind schedule, and wouldn't you know that HG started riding at the exact same time Cressey's group started?! When the girls in Cressey's group started riding, her nerves appeared, and she got very quiet and nervous. She was third in her group, and the wait was tough. Spiffer, Granddaddy, and I were on constant rotation trying to cheer for HG and comfort/encourage Cressey. Finally, HG's turn was over, so I was able to run in and pump up Cressey. By the time she got on her horse and headed for the ring, she was calm and at least somewhat put together. And do you know that girl (after three days of lessons at pony camp) could get in a two point stance, trot at a good pace, and even navigated through an 'obstacle course' (won 1st for that!). She was SO SO proud of herself afterward, as were we! Both girls won 1st and 4th, and HG got an extra 3rd place. I think Cressey officially has pony fever!
No looking back on Day 1 (Cressey had an old friend that she hadn't seen in a loooong time that was at camp with her, but they were in separate groups. When I left her that morning, Cressey was sitting quietly on a quilt with her group- all new friends and counselors- and while she was quiet, she easily said goodbye.) Meanwhile, HG is like 'please, Mama, don't make me take a pic.'
No comments:
Post a Comment