Cocoa

I have loved horses since I was a toddler. My dream is, and always has been, to have a horse of my own, but until that happens, I have to jump on every opportunity to ride them and be around them. On Wednesday, I got my horsey fix with an awesome lady named Cheryl and an adorable and feisty little horse named Cocoa.

Renita (aka best mother-in-law on the planet) tracked down Cheryl when she was calling everyone in the Houston area looking for a trail ride for me as a Christmas present. Renita is on a committee with a man who mentioned that his monther-in-law, Cheryl owns horses. Cheryl doesn't normally do trail rides, but Renita thought it couldn't hurt to ask. When Renita got a hold of Cheryl, she asked if she could pay her to take me on a trail ride, and Cheryl, despite being crazy busy and having never done a trail ride for a stranger before, agreed to take me and she insisted on doing it for free! This lady is the coolest. Seriously. As much as I loved the trail ride, I might have enjoyed meeting her and talking to her just as much. 

We spent 4 hours together and I don't think we stopped talking the entire time! She gave me all kinds of great tips for ways and places to have great outdoorsy fun in this area (I am so excited to try them!) and all the while I was in lovely, perfect horseback riding bliss! It was a GREAT day!

This is cocoa. He's tiny, but don't try and tell him that! This little guy definitely thinks he's a big guy and that he's in charge! It was actually kind of a fun challenge dealing with his sassy attitude and trying to show him I was boss (I'm not sure he was convinced). He did not want to walk through any big puddles of water on the trail, but Cheryl thought I should make him to show him I was in charge. Well, the first time, I tried to force him, he reared up and went around! It was a bit of a shock, but I managed to stay in the saddle and gain control quickly. At least Cocoa kept things exciting! And most of the time, he was very sweet and well behaved.

I think my favorite part of the ride was when Cheryl let me pick up the pace on Cocoa for a little bit. I could tell by his fast paced walk and occasional burst of trotting that he had been dying to do that all morning. My stirrups were a little long and my shoes didn't have much traction so my feet kept slipping in and out of the stirrups, making for a bit of a bumpy ride at times, but it was still a blast!

That night, I had a wonderful time, as always, hanging out with my two favorite boys. Look how cute they are lying on the floor and throwing this little ball together ...

Jeff really is the best dad. Luke is so lucky to have a daddy who is so willing to drop what he is doing and play with his little boy!