Rachael is a delightful, hardworking houseguest. Harry had to take the car to the dealer for service today (long since planned), so Rachael and I cleaned stalls. Then I left her to finish up barn work while I worked the footing on the ring. Jane was toiling at Therapeutic Horsemanship, as every Monday morning.
The horses romped in the morning chill 
A blue jay has a drink 
Rachael and Rosie
Harry returned and fixed us one of his many specialties for lunch, fettuccine carbonara, and I had made my “world famous dessert” (that’s what Harry calls it). I manage to fix it about once a decade, so Rachael picked the right time to visit.
After our feast, it was time for a lesson! Kris offered to stop this afternoon on his way to the horse show, which is happening this week at the National Equestrian Center. There was no way we were going to pass up that opportunity, whether we felt ready or not, and whether we had houseguests or not. Rachael was pressed into service as photographer, and she did a great job at that, too.
I led Bart to water, and he drank, tanking up for the lesson! 
Walking to the ring 
Jane on Derry 
Harry watches as warmup begins 
Derry looks ready 
Derry and Jane jump 
Jane demonstrates a good eye 
Bart demonstrates a good jump 
Jane and Derry 
Anne and Bart 
Old ladies having a lot of fun 
A wonderful lesson on a beautiful day
We had a blast, slightly terrified, of course, but thrilled to discover we were more capable than we expected. Kris is a genius teacher, and we are very lucky to have him in our life.
Rachael’s reward for a hard day’s work was to sit on Bart. She looks to me like she belongs on a horse. After all, it’s not that much more dangerous than dropping out of a helicopter!
Harry laughed at me for taking so many pictures, but it’s not often I get my niece onto a horse!
Harry gets one picture
The sunset promises another nice day for tomorrow, though predictions are not as warm. I am sure we will have fun, and I know Rachael will work hard again.
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Oh gosh what fun I wish I was there! And then I would wish I was on a horse, riding under a trainer’s eye, my favorite place to be. But you have made me feel like I was there, thank you. Rachael does indeed look like she belongs on a horse.
Peace
Your “World Famous Dessert” does it have a description? Or is it top secret?
The dessert is not at all top secret, Jane! It was taught to me by my mother’s cousin, Rosemary O’Byrne, in Denver, and she called it “Pineapple Icebox Pudding”. It is a fluffy concoction of whipped cream, egg whites, pineapple and custard on a graham cracker crust. Not exactly health food, but it is yummy.