It’s possible that I’ve said this once or twice (or a few hundred times) on this blog before, but Henry is the best horse that has ever walked on this earth. He is pure gold, through and through, and I officially nominate him for sainthood.
On Saturday I loaded both boys up and hauled out to MeadowCreek Park. Henry was going to XC school, and Presto was tagging along to have my trainer help us tweak his in-hand trot. We have not even so much as looked at an XC fence since Chatt, 7 weeks ago. In fact, I have only jumped Henry once since then – last Wednesday. We jumped maybe 6 fences.
I thought there might be a whole lot of rust to knock off, but Henry, as he does, slipped right back into Professional mode as if Chatt happened last week instead of almost 2 months ago. He was a little TOO gung-ho at the first couple fences, so we had to dial it back a notch and remind him that not everything needs to be jumped at 450mpm. (He says that’s bullshit, btw)
We had Presto out there ponying with us, so when it was our turn to jump we handed him off to a ground person, did our fences, and then went back and resumed babysitting duties of the yearling. The fact that this horse can go from badass XC horse and then flip the switch immediately into Uncle mode is pretty impressive. He does both jobs flawlessly. Although I think he probably prefers the XC part.
After our warmup fences we strung a few together to make a mini course, just a few Training fences. Henry was so happy to be out galloping that he wasn’t sure if he really wanted to pull up after the 3rd one. He’s run that T course at MeadowCreek a couple times now, so he knew where he was going, and he was not keen to stop so soon. Pretty sure he would have just gone on and jumped around the whole thing if I’d let him.
From there we went to the big mound, where we jumped through the Training way first, and then circled back and jumped the Prelim way – an upright skinnyish fence, up and over the steep mound, to the skinny chevron at the bottom of the hill. We’ve never jumped this Prelim combo before but Henry locked right on to both elements and was really super, just skipping right through like it was a gymnastic. That’s one of my favorite things about this horse, he retains everything, always picking up right where he left off even after a break. It’s almost like he’s… seasoned… or something???
From the mound we went to the water, and again Trainer had us jump the Training route through first (which we’ve done like a million times) and then circle around and jump the Prelim route. Prelim had an upright skinnyish rolltop, bending line to a big log down into the water, bending line to another log out. Again, no problem for Henry. He was super rideable and looking for the jumps, but not being rude about taking me to them, and letting me put him a little bit closer to the base.
From the water the group headed over to the ditches, but there wasn’t really anything bigger set up over there so we just ponied Presto over. Same thing at the banks – we’ve done every route several times, so no point in doing it again. Considering Henry has only been back in work for a couple weeks and it was his first XC school, we just let him be done with that.
It was so great to be back on my best boy and out there doing what he does best. And the fact that he could do that job while also babysitting his brother… I’m so proud of Henry. He never ceases to amaze me.
Pictures tomorrow of all of Presto’s adventures. He had quite the day, too!
breedrideevent.com 
He is just the coolest horse. His face in those photos!
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He really is. ❤
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Go, St. HENNY! Also, how did your new trailer cam work for the hauling?
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I’m gonna post about the trailer and the cameras and stuff on Wednesday!
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That last photo is my favourite, with their matching tail swish and matching bum heights (hahaha you must be thrilled with that one) ♥️
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I love that one too. Both of my favorite butts.
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Oh man, summer has flown by if Chatt was SEVEN weeks ago. I swear I was just reading about it last week. Also: Presto looks like he’s almost as tall as Henry now!
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I know! Summer went by fast. But also kind of not, because it’s still hot AF.
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Yeah. He’s perfect. I mean, he KNOWS he’s perfect. But he’s right.
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I tell him that every day.
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Henry is lovely. When he is retiring age let’s send him to TN thanks 🙂 And I LOVE the two of them together. SO cute. Love the one you posted on instagram and love the butt photo. AND YES Presto is almost as tall as Henry butt wise.
Glad you had fun. Was weather okay? Not too hot??? Can’t wait to read about Presto’s day CC too 🙂
FUN FUN FUN
I have it in my mind now i am going to pony Tate when I get riding again. Why not? LOL See what you have started/? HA
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I totally want pictures of you dragging fat ass Tate around on fat ass Remus.
And of course it was fucking hot. I sweated for like 6 hours. It’s always hot!
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ha ha ha. Tate will probably be horrified. He is such a SPOOKY PONY. I swear i can’t believe they put kids on him. SHEESH. I went till his water bucket this am and he pretty much climbed the walls. AND see you look so cool and comfy in those shots i thought a cool front came thru HA 🙂
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Glad you had fun! That’s the best feeling.. I got in Juice for the first time in two weeks because of my stupid foot and he popped around a little course like a hunter, I wanted to cry I was so happy. I can only imagine how nice it feels after a longer break!
Random side note: Totally spotted my former barn mate in your pics, how funny. Sam used to board at the same farm as my former lease horse!
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Sam’s new mare is FANCY!
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Henry is just incredible — you two make such an amazing team ❤
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Thank you! I just love him.
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Yay Henry! Honestly, he looks like so much fun to take XC. Game and willing but super professional at the same time.
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He’s a freaking blast to ride XC. I hope everyone has the privilege of riding a cross country horse as good as that one. He makes the game a heck of a lot of fun.
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Good boy Henry! So cool to have a horse who comes back into work with 110%. His XC face is my favorite!
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He really is a cool dude. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me.
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Henny is best. His squirrelly XC face makes me laugh every time. I wonder-,if you turned him loose, would he go XC jumping on his own? Or is it only fun for him with you on top?
That butt pic belongs in a frame, so cute!
So, Presto is like, what? Three, two inches shorter than Henny?! He is really working on those 18 hands…
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I think Henry’s general default mode is the path of least resistance… he’s a minimal effort kind of guy. I do think he has a lot of fun galloping around XC though! His face is always spectacular.
Presto is like a hand shorter and about 1/3 of the body mass. LOL
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Love that last photo!
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Me too. ❤ Another great shot from Dusty!
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Lucky Presto! It’s like going with Dad to work at the coolest job ever. And getting to meet interesting grownups who know cool stuff.
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Hahahahaha! That’s totally what it’s like.
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Man this makes me wish I had the funds and time to get Frankie a little brother. I think he would really like it. #TeamBayBoys
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omg yes, Frankie would LOVE that. Seems reasonable to buy your horse a pet…
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I keep threatening AT that imma buy a baby and give it to her for a few years to make it fancy. She really only likes me some of the time, and never when I threaten her with that. It’s her own fault for being good at training babies and it’s my own fault for having grabby hands for the babies so really it’s everyone’s problem.
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