Cross Country at Moqui Meadows

Cross country day at Moqui Meadows last weekend was great fun!  Miss Pea and Jasi did well with a smooth warmup and controlled round.  Jasi was mostly pleased with Miss Pea listening to her breath to slow down and rebalance, as well as some of the fun shots Kimberly Hale Photography got of them on course.

Here is a video of the first portion of their jumping round:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipYsJbbbIA4

Raven arrived ready to rock and roll.  She was tied at the trailer waiting to be tacked up and was absolutely leaping around, kicking and having a tantrum because she wanted to GET GOING!  When tied out of my sight she elected to use her leadrope as gymnastic apparatus, but as soon as I appeared around the side of the trailer with a bridle she stood perfectly still.  I think she was having trouble containing her excitement at getting to go out and gallop over jumps, and tossed in some spicy Feisty McSassypants to remind us who we were dealing with.  Sara got some video of her hilarious antics at the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tTvsBp4r6w

Once she was tacked up Kim H. got some photos of her pre-ride shenanigans as I tried to maneuver Raven to the warmup area.

However, she redeemed herself with incredible jumping rounds.  It's a good thing this mare is crazy athletic and not just crazy, otherwise no one would want her.  Out on course she morphs into this maneuverable athletic jumping machine who absolutely loves her job, as illustrated by these photos.

Raven ran the beginner novice course twice, and the second time she really nailed it.  She was so efficient that with Jasi timing us, we came in nearly a minute UNDER optimum time.  Considering I haven't ridden her much this winter due to me having the flu several times and the wind being so bad, Raven has stayed remarkably fit.  She probably could have done the course a third time without any trouble.  I guess living in a large turnout with her girlfriends and bucking and running laps for fun has served her well. 

I truly enjoy this little mare, and I'm so happy she landed here with me.  Her intelligence and work ethic are second to none, and I really don't mind the pre-ride shenanigans when I have such fun actual cross country rounds with a horse who has a bright smile on her face over every single fence.  In the last video you can hear her talking, too.  She whinnied throughout her entire round, seeming to be shouting out, "Hey!  Is anyone watching this?  We are having SO MUCH FUN!  Galloping, jumping, now we are RUNNING!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3NtVH2HACM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcxSwkEJcbA