[mrsmel]

You don't look 50 from here,or rather your 50 look good from here,and that's a very graceful horse too,the way the front legs kind of curve is lovely.I like horses,but the couple of times I tried to ride,the horse tried to scrape me off on the fence. I guess they can sense that I'm not "the boss" with them,:0 I better stick to swimming,hehe.But it looks like fun!

[AnAmericanMother]

You need to start with a good horse - i.e. take lessons from a reputable trainer, not rent a nag. It takes a very good rider to make a rent-a-nag behave! (they do know when you're really not in charge of the situation.)

The mare is actually just past the apex of her leap, and has begun to lower her front legs for landing. This was near the end of our run, and she's a little tired and jumping a little bit flat. But she is the sweetest horse in the world. I can put anybody on her and she will treat them with kindness -- no scraping folks off on fences or trees!