I want to shout this from the rooftops!

[Emilieu]

But no-one really cares, especially not the neighbours, so I am shouting it here instead.

I CANTERED ON GRASS TODAY!

It has been more than a decade. I am so proud of myself and so chuffed with my girl.

The back story is that my first horse died very suddenly of a heart attack while we were out on a hack. We cantered to the top of the hill and he just dropped under me. It was, as you can imagine, really traumatic and for a long time I couldn’t bear to canter at all. Since I got my lovely Betty Turbo Cob a year ago I have rediscovered my love of speed and it’s been in the back of mind for a week or so that it might be time to face my fear. Tonight we hacked to the field and I had it in my head that if it felt right I would try it.
Bets is such an angel. The first time I asked she just did a couple of slow strides but the second she was sure that I meant it and gave me her best bouncy cob canter. It was so much fun and I never felt for a minute like anything bad could happen.
Gratuitous selfie of my very happy face and my very lovely girl.

 

[ycbm]

Well done! What a great milestone to reach, your happiness is infectious.
.

 

[PurBee]

A monumentous achievement...feel so happy for you - especially considering your back-story. Sorry to hear about your first horse.
Its brilliant youve re-kindled your love for speed and betty turbo is happy to oblige ? your smile says it all! ?

 

[tallyho!]

Oh wow what a lovely post... I'm so sorry about your first boy... that is more than most of us have ever experienced and made me feel emotions that you felt happy to enjoy it again with Betty... how very special.

 

[tinselbobs]

I’m so happy for you! Reading your post has made me smile ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Bloody brilliant! Well done ???

 

[Meowy Catkin]

That's fantastic! Well done.

 

[DabDab]

??? fly Betty fly!!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Amazing! It’s difficult breaking a first barrier. You’ll be away now! Betty is lovely ?

 

[Rasadi]

What a lovely post well done ???

 

[Rumtytum]

What a lovely post! Am so pleased for you and for the very beautiful Betty ?

 

[TPO]

Yay ?

Well done ? so pleased for you!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Oh that’s lovely!

I hope you can have many happy canters together.

 

[Emilieu]

Thank you for your enthusiasm about my shouting. I knew you guys would understand ?

 

[Emilieu]

And thank you also for the sympathy for my lost boy Milieu

 

[Ceriann]

Brilliant - well done you and Betty. It’s a huge thing to overcome a fear like that.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Well done! The loss of your first horse sounds to have been traumatic but Betty sounds fabulous. I love mares who look after their rider like that.

 

[Sam_J]

Whoop whoop! Really pleased for you!

 

[Emilieu]

Well done! The loss of your first horse sounds to have been traumatic but Betty sounds fabulous. I love mares who look after their rider like that.

My first mare. I wasn’t sure at all about taking the plunge - I’d never even ridden a mare I liked before - but I’m so glad I went for it. She’s worth her weight in gold.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Love this post!

 

[Caol Ila]

So happy for you!

 

[eahotson]

Well done to both of you.

 

[ozpoz]

I loved reading this Emileu. Have many more happy canters, and well done recovering from your traumatic loss. X

 

[AutumnDays]

Well done! Wishing you both many happy cob canters to come!

 

[Cutgrass]

Well done, not an easy thing to do, so glad it went well!

 

[southerncomfort]

Absolutely fantastic! To overcome such a traumatic event is truly momentous.

You should be so proud of yourself.

 

[Amun]

Congratulations!! Your cob looks amazing! Your back-story is terrifying, can't imagine the horror. So really well done!

 

[Quadro]

Had that happen to me 2 years ago. Nice canter along the river and then down she went. Often think about her as she was only 7

 

[Elno]

Congrats on cantering and owning a lovely cob! ???

 

[Tarragon]

Just wonderful! Well done