Kyrie's First Riding Lesson

The week before Christmas Kyrie had her first horseback riding lesson. I purchased on-line coupons for these lessons several months ago, excited to find out that there was a horse farm so close to our house. I thought that this would be a fun activity for Kyrie to do over our Christmas break (and maybe continue if she enjoyed it). She was very excited to learn she would get to go to riding lessons.

She already looks like a pro in this picture!

Kyrie got to ride a pony named Mama Piña. Her teacher Miss Colleen talked to her about how to approach the horse and use the reins to guide her to the arena. Once in the saddle, she learned how to kick the horse's sides to make her go and use the reins to steer and stop. They went around the ring several times practicing these directions and took some time to trot. Kyrie loved trotting and her giggle echoed in the barn. It made everyone smile!

Practicing steering the horse by herself.

At the end of the lesson, Kyrie was a little cold and hungry, but very happy with how much she had learned and the fun she had. We would have one more hour-long lesson this week and will continue with 30 minute lessons once a month after that. As we were leaving our first lesson we passed a wall of the barn that was filled with ribbons from riding competitions. Kyrie was hopeful that one day she could win some ribbons for riding, too. We'll see!