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Yay, a picture! Okay, so this is a picture of me riding on a pony named Lola at mounted games practice. Mounted games is a race to see who's fastest while completing a series of obstacles. In other words, it is a game of speed and precision. You need to learn to vault onto the horse while it's in motion and ride without stirrups in order to save them. Mounted games really help you become a better rider, and it is amazing how fast you progress. In games you ride one handed in order to grab the necessary items while in motion. There are also competitions for mounted games, and they're a whole lot of fun. Of course, to compete you need to be a member of Pony Club, but who says you can't still practice it at home and have a contest with your friends?

Here are a couple videos to show you just how amazing mounted games is. The bottom one is a must watch.
To learn more about mounted games and the different types of games there are, go to the official mounted games website at: http://www.mounted-games.org/games/games.htm
 
We took it easy today. My friend Pauliina and I took Gossip and Robin out for a trail ride. It was pretty late so we tried to  fit s much fun as we could into one day. She rode Gossip and I rode Robin. we started by walking by the side of the road until we arrives on a small dirt road. Usually we cut across the neighbors property to get to the forest, but this time we took a different route. We continued down the dirt road and trotted a little way. Gossip was constantly nervous because f the puddles, while Robin confidently walked past or through them. One thing I don't get is why Gossip had to circle 10 yardsaround the puddle instead of skirting it just slightly. Did he think some Mud Monster of Death would reach out and pull him in? Some of the puddles were even clear and he could easily see the bottom. I know horses can't judge depth easily, but this one was too easy! Gossip even shied away from mud spots. Why is this pony so weird? Pauliina and I walked and trotted down a long,straight path where there wasn't may Puddles of Doom, and we picked up a nice, calm gallop. It felt nice to take it easy. The next we galloped we raced. Gossip (normally a lazy horse) really got excited. I guess that 25% Thoroughbred really kicked in. For once you believe that he is the great, great grandson of Secretariat. Robin didn't give it his all, and I think he's saving his energy for later when Pauliina gets cocky about always winning the races. Then, WHAM! She wouldn't know what hit her. We took the forest route back and jumped the fallen tree branches along the way. By then it was almost dark and we told scary stories to each other. Robin trotted so fast anyone would've thought he was monte pony. Monte is trot racing with a rider in the saddle and no carriage. Robin's breed (Gotland Russ)  is often seen on the track. Once home, we sponged off Gossip and Robin and laughed at the way Gossip ate his apple slice. While Robin ate his apple three (often two) swift bites, Gossip took 20 mini bites out of his apple slice. What a cutie! Well
 
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For all of you shoppers on a budget, the M. Toulouse saddle is a great purchase. We can't all have the expensive, amazing Pessoa saddles, but we do have the opportunity of buying a great saddle for a reasonable price. I really enjoy my M. Toulouse jumping saddle. It is comfy, good quality, and what more is there to say? I own a used one which is still in really good shape, and I got it for $250. I saw another used one which cost $650 at the local tack shop. Okay, I will admit this is not the ideal price, but it is cheaper than the really good saddles, yet it's still really good quality! My mother andI talked to the local tack shop owner about the M. Toulouse brand, and she said all her saddles of that brand are usually gone within the first day she gets them. If that's not proof, I don't know what is.

 
Okay, I'm sure some of your are familiar with Pony Club, right? Well, I'm a member of the Tuscawilla Pony Club and last Saturday we had D Rally, which is an eventing rally for riders that have a D rating. I'm a D-2. For those of you who won't know Pony Club or don't understand ratings, I'll explain that in a future post! Anyways, I was really excited about this rally as it is my first rally with my lovely pony Robin. We did the Intro C dressage class, and the 18 inch classes for stadium jumping and cross country. I uploaded a video of my dressage test on YouTube so you all can see it! I thought it went pretty well or the most part except Robin jumped out of the ring -.-' He made up for everything (including running out on one jump for stadium jumping) with his cross country, which was perfect. Definitely our strongest performance! Yes, I am wearing a jumping saddle for dressage. I do own a dressage saddle but for Pony Club rallies they are not required, which is understandable, as not everyone has a dressage saddle. Anyways, the link below will show you the video of my dressage test: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv5dHfwye9Q

Now for the pictures! Be prepared, there are a lot of them, but if you wait 'till the end, your in for an amazing pic! Isn't my dad and amazing photographer?


And for the best pic of all...