Finally... good pony!

When I got to the barn on Saturday afternoon, the indoor was filled with pony clubbers taking a lesson, and a few other riders were tacking up to go ride.  I didn't want to battle with Gali in a ring of little kids, and for a few minutes thought of just grooming him and going home, disappointed in not being able to ride.

However, on my way out to get Gali from the field, I saw someone coming in from the outdoor - I had assumed it was still flooded, like everything around here, but it turns out it wasn't bad at all.  There were a few puddles and some slick spots, but plenty of room to ride, if I planned my tracks.

Sleepy Gali!

Just behind the bushes, some teens were stacking those plastic cavaletti to make a line of jumps for themselves to try to jump over.  I did this when I was younger, and thought that Nina was being mean when she flipped out at us for horsing around - but once I was on the back of Gali, who looked at the girls throwing themselves at the jumps like they were going to slice him up, I silently apologized for my past shenanigans.  To make matters worse, up a bit farther, a man was building a birdhouse.  He was hammering and using a power saw, and the birdhouse was going to be taller than Gali - so he was obviously concerned about that monster, too.

Amazingly, all he did was tense up and want to look at both monsters.  I am so proud of him and the progress we're making in terms of dealing with scary things. His default reaction had always been "Run Awaaaaaay!", to the point where I'd sing him that Monty Python song, modified for the correct Knight, as I tried to get him back under control:

Brave Sir Gali ran away, bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Gali turned about, and gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir Gali! 

No such song was needed Saturday!  We didn't do a whole lot of dressage work, but we got a good walk, trot, and canter to the left, and a good walk/trot to the right. I think he's really starting to gain confidence in himself, which absolutely helps me be less anxious in 'scary' situations. He was still very stiff going to the right, so I took it easy on him and worked on getting a stretchy trot, rather than pushing for the canter.  I can't wait for him to settle down just a little bit more, so that I can take a lesson and get back on track for some winter showing.