We’re heading out of town for the upcoming holiday weekend, on a long awaited family trip to Victoria. I told the new husband that I’d be responsible and stick close to home to help him do adulting stuff, like cleaning, packing and yard work.

Alas for him, I’m a horse girl, so of course I still managed to fit in two rides on two different horses! A cooler evening ride with Ray and Cyrus went off without a hitch, resulting in happy horse, happy dog and happier rider. A fast canter with my new shorter stirrups had me grinning ear to ear and longing for more, though I returned in time for my trainer to capture some awesome shots.

The next morning I was lucky enough to be offered a Kiger Mustang and a solid ride with a pack of friends. I can’t even tell you how in love I am with this spunky horse, ya’ll. It’s always a bit nervy to be mounting a horse I’ve never seen before, but my friend introduced me as “a super confident rider”, so I had to live up to it!

Flynn has now set the bar impossibly high for all other horses to follow. He’s a former pack horse who did a section of the PCT, whose owner decided he’s too forward to be relegated to following. My grin on Sunday never wavered, and I was often reduced to giggles, just like I am with Jokker and his antics.

I proudly proclaimed that I had a new understanding for horse thieves as we gaited around Whipple Creek, no posting on this cute guy required! Once again I love my Barefoot treeless saddle, the only adjustment needed for it to fit Flynn was possibly a crupper, as it did slide up on his shoulders on the steep downhills.

Much as I’m finally in a comfortable spot with Ray and I love being able to ride out alone with him (curtailed for the immediate future due to a cougar siting at our local trails), I can’t wait to hook up with the spunky mustang again!