Sorry I didn't post last week - our school receptionist kept buzzing around.

My riding stable is now under new management. I was worried about this. So I went to my lesson last week, and instead of Ms. Aarons, like usual, telling me to go get Gabby and that I'll be working on the flat or something, there was this 30-something guy with an energetic air who looked at me and said "Natasha King?" I said yes, and he appraised me. He said "Let's put you on Quicksilver, he's in the back pasture. Gray Arab, can't miss him," and sent me off. Quicksilver was, as he said, a gray Arabian with a darker gray mane and tail. He was very easy to catch. When I was going into the barn to look at my tack assignment, Mr. Jaccobs shook his head and told me to just get a bareback pad, saddle blanket, reins and a bridle. I was going to ride (semi) bareback! The second I swung my leg over, I was estatic! I could feel him under me, so alive and energized. Quicksilver is so graceful and flowing. Not mellow, exactly, but not a rush-into-things horse, that's for sure. It was a fantastic lesson - no courses, or anything, we mostly did flat work, with a few minutes going over a row of 2-foot jumps with no strides in between. I was sooo happy! Mr. J said I have 'outstanding balance'!

Then after school, when I went to help with lessons, my student didn't show up, so Mr. J put me riding again. He surveyed me again, and told me to get Molasses. Molasses is a Rocky Mountain Horse, and drop dead gorgeous. When I asked what tack I needed, he took a look at me and said, "reins and a bridle." I was really really really going bareback! It was so incredible! I was in a class of five, and we were practicing squirrels! which are emergency dismounts. Kind of like musical chairs, when Mr. J yelled 'squirrel' we would all have to squirrel, but last one off would go in the center. Next time someone was out, they would trade places. Everyone would trade horses, and get legs up. I rode (besides Molasses) Indian Summer, Ginger, Rising Sun, and there was also a little pony called Peanut Butter who I didn't ride.

It was amazing. However.

On the way home Veronica had a talk with me. The new management is charging two to three times what they used to. I might not be able to ride anymore. Money is tight, even though my dad makes six figures, somehow we can't afford my lessons. I am really mad and depressed and betrayed and heartbroken. I love riding! Not to mention that V is bugging me about school and is threatening not to let Jas come up, and I'm getting hounded about violin and I have to keep practicing the Shastokovich until August, and I'm dead sick of it, and V is getting surgery in her throat, and my dad is going to have to stay with me, but it'll be wierd and I want my grandma to come up, and my life is really messed up.

Natasha