Austin: Day Eleven

Today we took Jackie for riding lessons. Shannon, my training instructor, who also has a 5 year old daughter, invited Jackie for riding lessons. The lesson started at 10:15 a.m. at Grace's Riding Stable. The stable was in Georgetown, Texas - about 45 minute drive from our hotel. We got there early and met Paula, the instructor and owner of the facility. She was very nice and supplied Jackie boots and helmet to wear for the day. Jackie had the privilege of riding Sparky the pony. He is the pony for beginners because he is extremely slow, and lazy.

There were five girls in the class with age range of 3.5 to 6 years old. Before the riding lesson began, the girls were to help groom their respective ponies. It was great for Jackie because she got to groom a pony in real life. Before today, she's only groomed a virtual pony in her Little Pony Nintendo DS game. The girls were taught to mount and dismount, balance, proper riding posture, and how to hold the reign. They went through other routines that allowed the little riders get comfortable on their ponies. Trotting was one that Jackie had to skip because Mr. Sparky was a one speed (slooooow) pony. Per Don, the pony was misnamed - he should have been named Sparkless. LOL.

Playing with the friendly stable doggies

Jackie meets Sparky

Cowgirls in-training


Learning to groom

Installing the saddle


Balancing lesson


C'mon Sparky, get moving, we're way behind.