To Be Her Hero...

I would do anything. OK, not really, but this one was actually pretty easy. God Bless Melissa for doing lessons for Mags, at a really ridiculous rate. Which is to say, she has made Maggie's dream affordable for us! Last week, Melissa and I set up a time and day and Maggie has been counting down the days ever since...

Today, this evening, was the big day...what all the anticipation and fuss has been about for a week!

Melissa and I were on the same wavelength. I was a little concerned that Maggie would think it was all fun and games ~ the first thing she had to do was brush Jake. Make sure he wouldn't have any dirt under his saddle. Then she had to learn the commands and how to be his boss.

I was really concerned about this part, the Maggie as the boss of a big ole horse part. She did much better than I thought she would do. Which is to say that Jake was her boss...BUT, she wasn't scared of him. She has been scared in the past. Honestly, when she said she wanted horseback riding lessons, I though yeah, ok, this will last 15 minutes. Like until she has to walk up and touch a horse and then we're done. But, she proved me so wrong.

She walked him awhile then she kind of helped Melissa saddle Jake up. And with the help of a stepping stool, by golly, she just climbed right on. As if she does it everyday. SOOO not scared!

Melissa had to get her situated, boots in the stirrups and all.

Then, the moment...the moment she needed pink cowboy boots for, the moment she was riding a horse.

Her moment. The one where she was a cowgirl. Or a horse girl or whatever.

Rest easy ~ the following picture is just skillfully cropped. Melissa was never far from her side. But it made for a much better picture to show her riding independantly.

Doesn't she look happy? I can beat that though...how's this one for a look of accomplishment, bliss even?

All done, leading him back to take off his saddle and brush him before going home. And none too soon, if you ask Jake. His expression is even better than Maggies! Priceless!

Tuesday at 5pm is officially Maggie's new favorite time of all!

Love you!!