Last week my riding instructor called my and told me she was taking a couple of ladies out riding and asked if I was interested in joining. Well, of course I was! I would never turn down a chance to ride, how else am I going to become a barrel racer?!

The work week was long, busy, crazy, fighting fire with fire, one might say. I don’t think I’d ever been so happy for the weekend to arrive, and finally it was Saturday morning…and it was raining [insert sad face here]. I texted my instructor and asked her if we were still riding. “Yes ma’am” was her response, so off I went. 

It was cloudy when I got there, but not raining. “Not supposed to rain til 1:00, so we’ve got plenty of time”. I didn’t even bother saying it had been raining at our house because, well it didn’t matter! 

Introductions were made, both ladies really sweet, one an experienced rider, one just starting out, so I was in good company! The experienced rider of course, had her own horse. A beautiful Morgan horse, shiny dark coat, black mane and a long black tail that surely must be the envy of all the other horses in the barn!

We saddled up and headed out the gate. I was elated! I’d been wanting to go out on the “nature trail” ever since I started riding. It was exhilarating, the cool air, out on the wide trail, and then – water started falling from the sky. Not just drizzles or sprinkles, but big, huge Texas sized drops. Yep, it’s raining. 

As if we were out on the trail herding cattle, we ducked for cover under some trees. Wow! This is a new one for me! After about ten minutes the rain moved on and out we went. And yes, we were a bit wet. 

I’m not sure what the pecking order is in the horse world, but early on it became clear that my horse did not like Morgan horse…at all. He kept turning around and making creepy faces at him, or would shuffle around if he got too close. I did my best to remind Buddy that I was boss and we were going to all play nicely, but he was just being a brat that day!

We chatted as we rode and I soon found out that the Morgan horse owner had just moved here last month and like me, she moved here from Sourhen Califirnia. No wonder my riding instructor asked if I’d like to join. She must have figured we knew each other, and would give the secret SoCal handshake or something! Or maybe she just thought it was time for me to start making some friends. Admittedly, I’ve not done a good job of putting myself out there.

In fact, I didn’t know her at all, but I soon found out we had a lot in common. She told me about this weird transformation that seemed to have taken place since she moved here. She told me that when she lived in Souther California, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of going out without hair, makeup, jewelry, and the perfect outfit. But now, she goes out with no makeup, jeans and tshirt. “Oh my gosh! I experienced that same exact thing” I told her. 

I don’t know if it’s an age thing, an I don’t know anyone here, so it doesn’t matter thing, or if it’s just letting go of the SoCal lifestyle. It doesn’t matter. And I’m pretty sure Buddy doesn’t care what I wear or if my hair and makeup are done!

It rained some more, just as hard, and this time there were no trees to duck under. So we plodded along, soaked to the bone, enjoying the cool air, and as the occasional car went by we’d wave and give a lipstick free smile 😉