Cross Country at Moqui with Highboy and Daisy

We were fortunate to be able to make it to the rain date at Moqui Meadows for a couple cross country runs today.  Highboy rode the novice course twice, after some nonsense in the warmup.  He really thinks that the warmup for anything is just an excuse to party with new friends.  I didn't give him much time today to be silly, and we headed out on course after just ten minutes.  He was a machine on course, apparently he's decided to kick things into another gear. 

Unfortunately our paparazzi was home with a migraine, so we only have my cell phone photos from walking the course and of the horses afterwards. 

This is the second fence on course, after we jump a hanging log to start off.  The one Highboy did was the middle of the whole thing, third from the left.  I thought he might give this one a look since it was in such a shadow, but it turned out that he wasn't bothered by it at all and sailed over with no difficulties.

Fences 8 and 9 were fun.  Eight was a jump up a bank, and then three canter strides to a coop. 

The first round we had a hard look at fence 14 and then we entered the water at a trot, but the second time through Highboy galloped right through. 

This is the small trakehner that Raven was super-looky at when we last rode here, but Highboy never gave it a glance.  He hopped over and galloped up the hill to fences 17A&B.

This one was fun as well, we jumped the log, then cantered two strides to jump down a bank.  Highboy rode this like an old pro.  The second to last fence was 18, and we galloped up a little hill, hopped the jump, then galloped down the little hill on the other side.  Some careful footwork here, but Highboy did this well, too.

 I brought Daisy along because she hasn't traveled much and needed the experience.  She got a trailer ride to and from the event, plus a couple hours standing around at the trailer.  She initially did some pawing and fussing, but after a while she realized that truly no one cared what she was up to and gave in up in favor of snacking from her hay bag. 

Another benefit to Daisy coming along was that she got to watch the warmup and some of the cross country fences from where we were parked.  It's all good life experience for a pony who is in search of her new home.  We had several people comment on how cute she is and how well put together.  I plastered her sale flyers around the grounds, and there was some interest from people looking for a small mount. 

It was fun to see the two horses together at the trailer when Highboy and I were finished.  My short stocky pony mare, and my tall lanky gelding were quite a contrast in sizes and shapes!

We went home feeling satisfied and happy with how Highboy's two rounds went, and pleased with Daisy's epiphany that she can stand quietly even in a new place with lots of action going on.  A wonderful way to end Highboy's eventing season!