Horsey!

So, you know those commercials for the Caribbean or Texas or something where there are people riding horses on a beach and it's absolutely gorgeous? That's what I did today. Only there were hurricane-force winds. But that's not important. Erroneous. 

Jenny and I drove down to the Catlins to Te Taunga Farm. We did a two hour horse ride, which wasn't quite a trek. We got to trot and canter, but we still had a guide. Basically, it was the perfect combination because we had a lot of latitude the ride how we wanted, but we also got to learn about the area, because our guide told us a little history of the area. And then she took pictures for us:

Jenny on little Pan, and me on Big Bo. And our sweet as dusters.

So, I've now managed to find a way to combine two of my favorite things: the ocean and horses. And I loved it. Until there was sand being blown in my face and I couldn't even open my eyes. But that didn't last long, because our able guide took us off the beach and back through sheep fields, where it was just as windy but without the sand storm.

I got to trot and canter, which was a lot of fun. The cantering was way more fun than trotting because I didn't have to post. Plus the cantering wasn't in a ring, it was in a field and it was exhilarating! 

Also, since it's been like six or seven years since I've actually ridden a horse, it was really hard to for my body to remember how to post, which was frustrating because my mind still remembers. I almost had it by the end, which was sweet.  I hope to go riding again, because it was so awesome.

And now, another lazy post. Here are some pictures:

The fields we rode through on the way to the beach. Just so you know, the white residue in the distance is sheep, not snow.

Ah, the beach. The waves were spectacular, and the wind was a little scary. I wish I had a better picture of the waves, or even the sand storms.

What I saw, complete with Bo's ears. 

 

Me and Bo, where Bo doesn't look like a fat pony. He was actually a really big horse, and he was awesome!

Again, me and Bo after the ride. He was such an awesome horse.