Snow Gallops

This post serves no purpose other than to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas by sharing some seasonal photos from a fun afternoon galloping Stan and Q in the snow atop my mountain.

After days of clouds and snowglobe-esque conditions, the skies parted and the sun peeked through towards the end of our ride. It was beautiful to behold the view afforded by clearing conditions. Days like these, when the trees are hoar frosted or rime iced, are my absolute favorites.

Merry, merry, y'all. Enjoy!

I love Stan's listening ear on Barbara. He was SUCH A GOOD BOY for her. To her credit, she was taking my instruction more beautifully than I've ever had someone take it before. She grew up only riding bareback and this was only her second time in a saddle in ages - and the second time she LIKED the saddle. I used a lot of Mary Wanless and Centered Riding concepts with her and she picked up on them perfectly. Stan responded in like. It was SO COOL to see.

Barbara's permagrin was also something to behold.

Though no matter her smile, Stan is always FOCUSED with his Business Face when galloping!

Seriously, this old man loves sprinting.

GIDDY UP!

And of course the snow princess was out and about with us.

Look at all that snow flying behind them!

Neeeeerrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmm

Movin' it, Staniel!

What a happy pair they are.

And then it was my turn with this little nugget.

Still the prettiest trotter...

Q's GAME FACE. I love it. Also, I love that I'm to a place where I am comfortable letting this little mare gallop full out with only one hand on the reins.

Zoomy Qbee.

And now, Q catches on to the camera and becomes The Cutest Ever.

LOOK AT HER. I CANNOT EVEN.

Gallop spot #2 for the day.

Stan also brought his game face to this location, worry not.

Again with the listening ear <3 <3 <3

Houston, we have take off!

Look at that big smile!

Pinch me. I can't believe I live here.

His tail slays me.

Tiny fox cameo!

Austen, one day I'll have husky +gallops photos like you. 

And we'll also have derpy outtakes of those photos....lol, Taiga.

Q. I DON'T DESERVE YOU AND YOUR ADORABLENESS.

THOSE HAPPY EARS. OMG.

JUST LOOK AT HER BEING AN ADORABLE HOVER PONY.

Hoar frosted/rime iced trees - my very favorite thing in winter

Just living my best fairy tale life...

Telling her to get up and GO.

Smile means we've hit cruising speed.

WAHOO!

Those trees!

And this pony!

She's really gettin' up and goin' now!

Speedy bullet

Ugh. She's just the cutest.

And here, we have Barbara being, well, Barbara. It's not hard to imagine us sword fighting as kids...

Stan, bless you.

Cuties.

Enjoying the Mt. Porte Crayon vista

Laughing at Q's distaste for posing while standing still

Her listening ear <3