I rode Mimi bareback with some of my friends and their horses. We walked and trotted and took some small crossrails. I wasn't brave enough to canter Mimi because she's an Arabian and her gait is VERY bouncy. So, every time we picked up a trot and I bounced around on Mimi's back, everyone laughed at me! It was actually kind of funny. We all laughed and had a good time on our horses and ponies. My friend, Lizzy, took her horse over a crossrail at the canter and he bucked after the jump. She held on for THREE BIG BUCKS!! "HOLY COW!" I said. Then she fell off on the fourth buck. Owwieee!!! She was okay because she stood up, laughed, and got back on and did it again. The second time, he bucked twice and she stayed on and got him to stop! Lizzy is an AMAZING rider! I have a LOT to learn from her.
So the wild ride continued. My other friend, Katie, was the second rider to fall off. She was riding a very fast and out-of-control pony but Katie did a very good job keeping her well enough in control to canter and jump. They were cantering around the ring when Cloe, the pony Katie was riding, decided she didn't like the layout of the ring and decided to remodel it. (Cloe has a record for doing this) Katie tried to circle her but Cloe wasn't listening and they scraped along the side of one of the jumps. Katie flew one way and Cloe went the other. Katie tried to hang on but failed. She fell underneath Cloe and got stepped on. Cloe kicked Katie's hip bad and stepped on her hand. OUCHIE! However, after a minute, Katie stood up and laughed and walked out of the ring to get some ice. She was very mad when the instructor put Cloe away for she because she had planned to get back on and try that again. :D
I was the third to fall off. My fall wasn't as bad as Katie's and Lizzy's. After a jump, Mimi spooked and swerved to the side and I slammed onto the ground on my back. ouch! It took a second to regain my breath then we all laughed and I got back on. So, when thinking about this...interesting day we all laugh and say that we learned how to FLY!