I RODE GIZMO!

I almost said no...

He becomes a pretty excited Thoroughbred and bucks with joy when he starts cantering.
Could I hold on, could I keep him from galloping away with me?

Weighing the options, I wonder who will lead.

I'm not sure I know this new trail.

Could I find the way?

But, can I get up onto the saddle?

He's very tall.

With my other hand I yank my booted foot up high into the stirrup.

I grasp the saddle horn and pull for all I'm worth.

I will NOT mess this up!(How embarrassing, to decide to go for Gizmo only to find I can't even mount up!)

I make it! My arms and legs are now stronger for it!

The lead horse has got to be Gizmo, having those great long legs and a ground covering, quick trot.
But, Would he follow Misty?

He shifts into a canter as smoothly as a Godiva Mocha Beverage.

No need to urge him, just press the knees and we are running like the wind.
A great high spirited equine running through the fresh spring grass.

We see other horses; we slow ours.

Gizmo secretly grabs a big ole' bite of wild oats and then another (How can he chew with a bit? I've got to ask.), when we pause to let famous, luminous, expensive jumpers walk by.

We start again and Gizmo strides along, covering enough ground to abruptly end up right on their tails.

"May we pass to canter?" we ask.
"Well, I don't know, these valuable jumpers could start to run and we can't have them injuring themselves."(Don't they have to run to jump over the steeples? I've got to ask.)
"Can you turn them around for a ways, while we canter further down the trail?"
"Well, I guess we could."

Snobs.
But, that's their right as fancy pantsy wealthy fancy ranch/show jumper/owners.
But, I do not understand riding with neat, tidy, bright, brand new clothes and all new equipment on impeccably clean, brilliant white horses, sporting brand new, out of the box, bright tack?

And wearing no helmets?
Are you crazy?!
I plan on protecting my noggin!
No falling off of a startled horse, hitting a rock with my forehead and concussing on the trail for ME!

Of course I'm just riding a simple trail horse, Thoroughbred or no Thoroughbred.

He's tall, lanky and raring to go, but he's a well trained trail horse.
He's a good horse, minding cues as best he can with my silly, half-competent riding.

"What's all this hyper hauling-back on my bridle?" Gizmo wonders.
"What's all this nervous, indecisive bumping and flopping on my back?"
"I'll ignore this ignorant beginner and take the reins (!) to keep this show on the road!"
Or, on the trail as it was.
Excellent Gizmo.

Taking over for my own good.

The views are extraordinary.
Deep Payne's gray-blue reflecting from the sky onto the vast wetlands with silver shining clouds moving over the water.

New born downy, fluffy cygnets bobbing along, following the proud swan pair to the nest on a hillock in the water, last year's brood kicked out to the open water.
Mallards with ducklings lined up behind creating a tiny wake.

We walk on.

Traipsing around the North Bay with Gizmo?

Any day!