Some weeks ago, one of the trek leaders where I ride mentionned perhaps I should find a horse I like and stick with it because this year I have been riding lots of different horses, some of which I have got on better with than others. Whilst this idea held a certain appeal, I have enjoyed trying different horses and because I ride at the same place most of the time, I was a little worried about getting in a rut and being scared to try new horses if I get used to riding the same one all the time. At the moment, I am looking forward to my riding holiday in Spain so this wouldn't be good as I am going to have to ride a different horse there. Also, of the horses I like, there are various reasons why I can't ride the same one all the time.
Black Sam is lovely and although he can be a bit of a plodder, since my riding has improved and I borrowed him over the winter, he goes very well for me. He will even canter quite fast when the opportunity arises unlike last year when I struggled to get him out of trot on some of the canters. However, when they are busy and have lots of first timers, he is one of their stalwarts and is needed by the riders with less experience.
Jewel is another favourite and she is very nice too- a bit more forward going. But she is used as a guide horse some of the time, which means she is not always available.
However last weekend I got to ride Penny again. I have ridden her once before but on for a walk and a trot and she has a reputation for being one of the faster horses. It has taken a while before I have been allowed on one of the faster horses again after my unplanned and uncontrolled gallop across the side of the mountain hanging on desperately for dear life the other month but finally had another chance to ride her this time, when we were going to do some cantering. She is a beautiful bay horse, unusually though with blue eyes.
We had a lovely ride in the morning with a nice steady canter behind the trail guide and I enjoyed riding her very much. She didn't put a foot out of place all morning. Then in the afternoon, we had a smaller group. Myself, the trek leader, two first timers and a french exchange student. This meant I was closing the gates as there was only one trek leader and I love the chance to practise. Penny was superb. My control is not always the best and sometimes not sure the best way to approach the gates but she was great and didn't hesitate to go back to the gate to latch it etc. unlike some of the horses who don't really co-operate. Then towards the end of the trek, I got to lead a couple of canters with the french student as the others were not up to cantering. It was fantastic. I turned her round to wait for the others to get ahead a bit so we could canter to catch up and literally all I had to do was turn her round and we went from stationery to a lovely fast canter. I think I even hit a gallop briefly at one point. I have to admit I did have a good handful of mane and found it quite difficult turning round to check on the other girl behind whose horse wasn't so fast but it was such a buzz.
I have definitely found my favourite horse. The only blip was when I tried to put my coat back on towards the end when the rain started and she really didn't like it! Nearly took me down a vertical slope. It was strange because she wasn't bothered by me taking it off but they all have their quirks and I know flapping coats is quite a common one.
