Lorelai + Sweetie

About a month ago Lorelai began horseback riding lessons because she asked, and asked, and asked.  Yep.  My 3 1/2 year old is riding a horse.  Not a little pony…a horse.  It's amazing!   She went in shy but determined…the horses intimidating her less than the people.  And now…she walks in, talks to everyone, grooms her horse, knows the names of all of the brushes…and gets them from the tack room herself, picks out her pad (pink or purple of course), and then does her riding lesson.

She has a new love named, Sweetie…

Sweetie's personality is just as her monicker would have you believe…sweet.  She's a tall one and a bit bouncy when she trots.  Yeah…Lorelai trots on a horse.  I'm both a bundle of nerves and so ridiculously proud of her courage.  And I'm amazed at the intense look of focus I see on her face…how many three year olds can do that?!

She also loves her instructor, Miss Hannah, who has convinced her to ride with no hands while doing airplane arms and a whole slew of other balancing practice tricks, riding on the horse backwards, posting (standing up in her stirrups) and did I mention the trotting???  Miss Hannah rocks!  Seriously.

Lorelai also adores the girls who volunteer and help out during lessons.  Sydney (pictured above) is one of her favorites.  Next week they will ride Squire together so Lorelai can work on her trotting and guiding techniques.  I'm so thrilled that she's enjoying herself and that she's found something she truly enjoys.  :)