Horseback Riding Lessons

We are so lucky! There is a wonderful foundation/ranch that offers free horseback riding lessons to kids ages 5 and up that have a parent that is deployed. Lucy and Graham are LOVING them and are doing so well!

Ben and I get to sit and watch the kids do their thing. He usually plays in the dirt and makes me mud cakes to eat. He hands me a pile of dirt and says, "cake, Mom?" I pretend to eat it and he says, "More?".

Here's Lucy with Jose (one of her teachers). She prefers another teacher, Betsy, because she's a girl and she can understand her better. Jose is quieter and has a strong Spanish accent.

Here's Graham doing his "helicopter". They do this so they can learn to balance and use their thighs to squeeze and stay on. They go in big circles around the corral. He was excited that day to be riding Muffin.

When we arrive, the kids go into the barn and get their boots and helmet on.

This was our attempt at a little group picture the first day. I laughed when I saw how cute Ben is smiling. Lucy was just learning to get her horse to stop. Lucy was riding Muffin that day and Graham was riding Tina.

Here's Graham with his teacher, Glenn. Glenn is one of the foundation owners. He is so much fun! He has a great laugh and Graham just loves him. Graham loves Jose, too. Jose is what Graham considers a "real cowboy". I think it's because he always has a cowboy hat on. Graham even insisted on changing his name to Jose for a couple days.

Lucy has picked up on riding really quickly. She's quite the natural. It's so fun to see her trot around and move the horse like she's been doing it for years.

Before and after they ride, the kids help saddle the horses up and brush them down.

Not great pictures in the barn, but oh well.

The kids count down the days to lessons each week. As of last week, Graham doesn't have a lead rope anymore. He can turn his horse and get it to stop and go, too! Good times!