Today I went to Stuart's to ride alongside he and Roo. I rode Scarlet, the cute little dun mare. Since Pennsylvania has been cooperative and we've had a run of dry days, we finally got to move outside to the outdoor arena/pen area. 
Stuart had an exercise which he and Roo were doing and which I was to mimick with Scarlet. It involved cones as gates, and going in and out of the gates at walk, trot, canter. It was a great drill. Here are some photos of Roo and Stuart at work in the arena. Doesn't Roo look GREAT!
Stuart says Roo is a good horse. The only thing Stuart said I need is a few small children to skip and run around him, as the only thing he's spooked at to date was Stuart's daughter, Hannah, skipping. So Hannah made sure she came outside today and skipped up to the house while we were working. Stuart has encouraged her to skip all around when he is working Roo. Roo did not seem bothered at all by it today.
Here are some shots of Stuart and I riding together in the arena. Scarlet just turned 4 this year too.
And below, just because I love to see them I've added some additional photos of Stuart working with Roo in the outdoor arena/pen area.
At some point I think I may be learning how to rope cows....LOL. Why not? I don't think I've done that yet and I've done pretty much everything else except race.
Finally, when we were done in the arena, Stuart and Roo let both Scarlet and I, plus another rider, on a 20 minute trail ride. We went on dirt roads, down steep paths, up undefined trails, over a bridge, into a stream, and did exercises all the way along the trail. Roo was unbelievable. I cannot believe he has only been there since August 16th. His mind and actions are those of a much older and much more ridden horse. Of course he is still green, but he is just so pleasant about everything. Just like I knew he would be.
So I'll end with a few photos: one of Roo leading the trail ride home, and two of Roo and Stuart opening and closing the gate to the arena. Stuart makes everyone open and close the entrance gates themselves on horseback. It's good for the horses, and for the riders. I am enjoying my time at Stuart's and soon I'll be up on his back riding him under Stuart's tutelage. Can't wait!
Hope you enjoyed these photos! I'll be posting more next Thursday after my next session with Stuart and Roo! Hopefully the weather will hold out and we can go on a longer trail ride.
Happy trails!
Elaine and Roo
