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Waking up at Samaria Creek was just so special. The sun was just coming up, it was daybreak. I looked out my cabin window to the beautiful valley below. I woke up Brianna so she could experience the beautiful scenery. We then had brekky quickly got dressed and went down to the paddock to see the horses. Sarge (Samaria Creek Argentina) and Ava (Samaria Creek Avatar) had grown so much since we saw them in March! It was just great as they were in a paddock with all the other little foals. We walked in the gate and sat on a log. The herd noticed we were there and all came over to us Ava and Sarge leading the way. Inquisitive foals sniffed us from head to toe, it was something I really wanted Brianna to experience and she loved it.

The whole week was full of adventure and new experiences. It will be one of those childhood memories that Brianna will always remember. Judy let Brianna ride and be in charge of one of the littlest horses she has on the property….a little Shetland pony named Sailor. It was just what she needed too. She gained so much confidence with handling a horse that was just the right size for such a beginner. She came off a few times, no broken bones, just one of those needed to happen experiences. Brianna was very quiet for a few hours and even took herself back to the cottage for a rest but she came back ready to go and start again with her little pony and get her confidence back after a big fright.

I got to play with my babies a lot and watch how they fit into the herd. I observed lots of mare behaviour and decided that sometimes it would be better for us human mothers to act like a mare as maybe our children would get what we are saying the first time round instead of wearing us into to ground as they do at times. I think we can learn a lot from animals. They certainly have well behaved children but there are some foals that don’t learn quickly. My little gelding is one of them. He has plenty of bite marks as he just doesn’t move quickly enough when a mare tells him to get out of the way! There were so many lovely horsey experiences to really mention but it did truly feel like heaven to me!

I went out for a ride with Judy and got to ride within the herd of mares and foals. It was amazing. I felt like I was running with the wild horses in the Man from Snowy River!! Unfortunately when the herd started to run, I thought they wanted to take him (with me on his back) with them! Quite an experience! My horse was strongly objecting to how I was asking him to stop. Lucky for both of us I didn’t panic and Judy talked me through getting him calm again. Judy’s horses aren’t trained the way I am used to so it was all about learning to communicate to the horse through feel and have him respond to the questions appropriately. I really got quite a buzz out of the whole experience. I had a big smile on my face that night after all that action.

Judy did some work with my filly and decided she was ready for a saddle to be put on. She is a very clever little filly. Judy even had Brianna sitting on her and walking around. Ava was very excited with Brianna up there but it was done with human safety first. I was not at all concerned. I am very happy that I bought her.

Update September 2010

Hey Judy...... Ava is such a clever girl!!! She is now back home and has had a total of 13 short rides. I had a lesson on her on Sunday before I brought her home. She has a lovely natural rhythmic trot and the canter was just awesome!!!

I actually got a little teary with happiness!! I’d done all the ground work and pre mounting stuff myself but needed a more brave soul to get on her for the first rides. She has not put a hoof wrong!! No bucking at all and the only thing she does which is very expected is lose concentration every now and then when she gets irritated with the flies!!!

I had another lesson on her today at home but only walking and trotting as it was still a little bit wet. I am so happy but unfortunately for William my TB I don't really want to go back to riding on the bumpy bus when I now have a nice smooth mount!!

I’ll be extremely careful and try really hard not to interfere with Ava's lovely natural rhythm and softness. Thank you so much for letting me buy her!! Big hugs