Not Every Day Can Be Perfect

...Yeah, that's what I learned today. Gambler and I have been having a solid block of awesome rides, and I think I've been putting too much expectation on us both. He used to be horribly behaved, and I got used to it to the point where I went to the barn expecting nothing. Now I've gotten into the habit expecting him to be perfect and amazing, and, well, it was a real downer when he wasn't today.

Isn't he a cutie? ;) 

Anyhow, today sucked for the most part. Pretty much the highlight of my time with Gambler today was when I went out into the field, he was lying down napping! I thought he was going to get up, but he didn't! So, I sat down on the ground next to him and had some quality time with God. :) It was perfect! I love how peaceful the barn is... I feel like my connection with the Lord is so strong when I am there! Praying is one of my favorite past times. No joke, every silent moment (and even some louder moments!) I have, I spend talking to Jesus. It's super awesome.

Unfortunately, the good part of working with Gambler ended right there. I took him into the barn and groomed him, which he was okay with, but he was being just horrible when it came to ground manners. My goodness! He was being so pushy, trying to run me over, etc. He hasn't been like this in a while, so it was a real downer. Trying to tack him up was an epic fail. He wouldn't freaking stop moving. I eventually gave up after my saddle almost fell off and got stepped on.

I took him down to the ring and did some lunge work. He was such a sassy jerk going clockwise, he kept trying to just move his hindquarters and he would get really pissy when I went after him and made him actually move. I got some nice trot and canter sets out of him going counter clockwise and we worked on vocal cues.

Then, I decided to do some join up work with him. We've actually been making so much progress on that front. I haven't done free lunging with him in a while... But anyways, I could hear Jill starting to pour feed and I didn't want him to escape like last time, so I turned away... and he actually stopped and took a few steps towards me! Oh, my heart! It made me quite proud. :)

After helping with feeding, I rode Auggie in the field! It was a blast! First of all, I rode in a different saddle that actually fit me, so hooray! but anyhow, I had such a blast! I went out with Jill, and I always very much enjoy talking with her. We walked around part of the field, then did some trotting before some gallops up the hill! I've only ridden Auggie in the field once before, and it was just doing some trot and canter circles to work on bending, and that was a while ago. So, I had never actually galloped him! Oh my word... Unless you've galloped up a hill, there's really no way to explain it... But it is an amazing feeling! Auggie has a really powerful hind end, and I could just feel the strength and majesty coursing through him! It was such a blast... I am so blessed for this barn and all of the awesome rides I get as a result... So thankful. 

I work out with Dylan tomorrow, so Sarah is going to ride Gambler. Hopefully their session is much more successful than today. xD