I’m tired. I’ve already forgotten what that first lesson actually was. Being this tired is like being in a dream state. I have been sleeping through the night but waking up at 4:00 a.m. and not able to get back to sleep. This morning, I laid in bed until 7:15 a.m. and then leapt out of bed, eager to get on with my day.

It was overcast, but it didn’t rain. Rain would have been okay because we need it. But no, it stayed cool and none of us had to worry about putting on sunscreen.

I first did some groundwork in the agility arena. I’m having the horses straddle a pole with their front feet over the pole. I worked with Tyra today. She was restless, so I cut the session short.

We headed for the woods – I rode her to Grizzly Camp, and on the lower portion of the ride she moved very slowly. My saddle felt a bit crooked, so at the top of the Grizzly Camp hill, I dismounted and remounted on the other side. This worked really well – the saddle no longer felt crooked.

Pete watering the peas

It had not been a fun ride to the top of the trail. However, it was a fun ride downhill. Tyra was very methodical, and seemed to be thinking about where she was going to step next. It reminded me of my training for a CTR a few years back. We will do just fine, should we compete.

I rode clear to the top and then let Tyra graze when I went to check out the rather nasty bog trail, which was directly ahead of us. In my absence Tyra Deara decided to head in the direction of home. She didn’t go far – I easily caught her and praised her numerous times.

We returned home in record time.

I walked Tyra part way down the hill and then got back on her. This little brake, and my letting her graze, made all the difference in the world. She was a much willing and calmer horse on ride home. Of course, she knew she was on the ride home.

I keep saying to Pete that it’s good that we are getting the rides in now. If I’d not started to prepare for the competitive trail ride, the outcome would have been predictably bad.

I returned and checked out Gardner Pete’s hoop house and surrounding area, project. Utterly incredible what he’s done. I asked him if he liked gardening, and he said yes. Well, that must be it – people excel doing the things they love.

Late this afternoon, Hillary (friend) and Ron (Tae Kwon Doe teacher) and Pete and I, along with Carol, the director of the Yak Program, checked out the Eagle Hotel basement. A good choice – it’s good to be in a basement during a heat wave. I don’t know if Carol is going to use the space for her youth program or if Ron is going to use space for his Tae Kwon Doe class – this is something, like many things, that’s up in the air.

Next: 176. 6/30/24: Good Weather Continues