And this is where possibly a new Era begins!

or maybe not....  (cause you can never be certain about these things)

Today after making a trip with me to Jack's for the aforementioned spur straps, Ellen asked to go ride Fox.  This surprised me since she has not ridden since the beginning of September because she refuses to wear pants.

I took her home to change and we went right over.

The visit started very sweetly with her brushing the caked on mud off the ole guy.  Kissing him, feeding him carrots, hugging his belly!  All very sweet.  She even asked me to take their picture together!

She led him to the indoor arena, jumped up in the saddle, took her reins and was on her way.  As she walked Fox on the rail, Marge asked if Fox would ever do anything.  I made a face and said no.  My exact words were, "maybe if the roof blows off the barn, but no, he won't hurt her." 

THE JINX!

So they warmed up at the walk, and I put her on the line to trot.  She was doing SOOOO Well!  I was so proud of her posting rhythm.  We went over half seat position.  Talked about 'ride a buck' and how her knees should be closed against the saddle...

Then it happened. 

For what ever reason, Fox heard a noise and took off into a short run.  She was thrown backwards in the saddle as she bounced through his quick step lope.  I calmly said, "whoa."  I knew she was coming off so I was trying to stay calm and make it hurt as little as possible.  I finally yanked on the lounge line to stop him and he locked up the front end, bouncing into an abrupt halt!  Ellen was at that point tossed forwards and then flew off his left side!  She landed in a little ball heap almost underneath him against his front left leg.  Fox stood sprawled out and scared; Ellie got right to her feet yelling, "I'm Okay!" 

Then the tears...  she hugged me and cried.  She told him he was a bad foxer.  She hugged me and cried some more...  

Fox was scared, ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful.

Finally amidst her tears Ellie reached out and stroked his neck, and kissed him.  "It's okay fox," she told him. 

We dried her eyes and she got back on the horse! 

We spent the rest of the time walking around the indoor with me holding him.  We told Marge and she agreed, we Jinxed them. 

Ellen asked why I told her, just like you are wondering why I might call this the beginning of a new era.  Well, as I explained to her, because its a right of passage for any young rider.  It's a known fact among equestrians that you are never truly a good rider until you take a good fall.

And this one was in fact a good fall.

I'm so super proud of my little girl!  She fell off the horse at 4!!! and got back on again!!