Things to be thankful for...

Today I found so many different things to be thankful for...and they were all due to people going above and beyond. Well, except for the first one...the weather. Even though it read 24 degrees in the barn it FELT warm enough to actually ride comfortably for the first time in a while. Anyway, this afternoon as I started getting ready to teach, one of my students had an attack of nerves. Now when you have three students and two are up and riding there's not much you can do when the third feels unable to get on. There's nothing worse as an instructor than not being able to help someone who's crippled by fright. As I finished up my lesson I turned around to see Nola helping Jennifer into the saddle and leading her into the arena. Needless to say, an hour of watching other folks ride had banished those nerves! Nola had noticed this and brought Sebastian back to the mounting block for her. She then worked with her and got her gaiting by herself for the first time. To see Jennifer come over that sounding board with a huge smile really made my day! Confidence is everything isn't it? Then on my way home a snowstorm blew up and I didn't want to drive through it to Over The Hill Farm to check on Monty. I called Trudy who manages the barn and she assured me that he was fine and not to attempt the trip as they had two inches of snow in an hour. She rides him once a week for me, so I asked if she'd had the chance to ride him, fully expecting to hear 'no' because it's been so cold. Well, not only had she ridden him but she'd had him ridden twice more under her supervision, complete with draw reins so he'd work properly! I can't tell you how nice it is to know he's so well taken care of when I can't get there. Plus, he's staying fit. Anyway, as Nola said, today was a good day and we feel we may see the light at the end of the tunnel which this winter has been!!