> JP :>    Rode X this afternoon for almost 2 hours --
 > rode mostly in my round pen but after that we rode in the pasture here.
 > Good for you, Jean!!!  You are one gutsy lady!!
    I donno' -- I was beginning to think I was nothing but a coward ......
 > JP :>decided I want to ride him in the Trail class at
 > JP :>show (and, maybe walk/trot too) so I figured I'd
 > Just take it slow, and go in without any expectations.
 >  More important for you two to have a calm, relaxed
 > class than anything else!
    That's all I want to do, Meg ...... I have to get started back someplace 
-- I'd like nothing better than for X and me both to really be calm and 
relaxed -- the rest will come later .
 > JP :>We even "practiced" with me riding (no hands-no
 > reins) -
 > JP :>just putting him through his paces with leg and
 > voice
 > JP :>    I'm feeling much better now - I'm trying to
 > get over my
 > JP :>"fear" but still am not ready to lope him yet.  I
 > may NEVER
 > JP :>get over it totally - and, in that case we'll
 > just walk and
 > JP :>jog .  My back is feeling better -- and, I've
 > WOW!!!!  Way to go!!!  The fact that you can ride him
 > without reins just using voice and leg/seat aids is
 > amazing!  I think you're doing a whole lot better than
 > you think you are!
    Well, don't know 'bout that -- I would LIKE to do better -- but most of 
X's "problems" are ME ....I'm trying to take it slow and easy....I 
finally figured out today that the problem I was having with him backing up 
was ME -- I was excerting leg pressure making him back sideways -- when I 
finally figured it out and held my legs AWAY from his sides, he backed up 
straight and nice ...... when I wanted him to turn backing up just a little 
pressure on the oppisite side - he was AWESOME!!!  We did a figure 8 type 
backup like a breeze ...... too bad I was giving him mixed signals before -- 
he must have thought *I* was nuts .
 > JP :>it slow and easy until I'm really comfortable.  I
 > miss
 > JP :>"Baby" like crazy .
 > I know the feeling.  Don't know if you saw my post,
 > but Richard gave me a headstone for Thistle's grave
 > for Christmas.  It's really pretty..pink granite with
 > a horsehead  and her name on it.  I cried and cried
    How WONDERFUL!!!  No, I didn't see that message.  What a nice thing for 
Richard to do!!!
 > when I opened it!  It's on her grave now...we put it
 > in the ground level with the grass so we can just mow
 > right over it.  It's really pretty and makes me feel
 > good to have something permanent there.
    I know what you mean .... I have "Baby"s nameplate from off her stall on 
the fence post by her grave.  I look at it so often.  The bush I planted died 
....I'll plant another one in the spring.
 > JP :>The next show is a week from Saturday (the 11th
 > of Jan).
 > JP :>We'll see what
 > JP :>happens.
 > Just take it slow and easy!  Good luck and let me know
 > how it goes!!
    Will do ...... We rode this morning and again late this afternoon ...... 
he was good ..... I'm getting much more confident ..... wish I could make him 
do that little pitty-pat jog he does ALL the time ...... oh well -- we're 
working on it 
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