I've been slowly working my mare up for cross country and it's been great. She's awesome out of the ring, doesn't look at scary things, and is just a doll to ride. I took her out today for what was supposed to be a conditioning trail but ended up to be leisurely for the first half haha I rode her for a mile and a half on the road where the speed limit was 40mph (but people go 50) and she didn't even bat an eye! There were tractor trailers, trucks, dump trucks, etc that blew past, from behind and coming towards us and she didn't care one bit! When we got to the trail, I trotted through the first half then we cantered/galloped through the rest. She got up to full speed at a particularly long stretch and it was so amazing. It was one of our best rides. We went out alone, and it was just us on the trail and she was completely focused on what I was asking. She didn't get full of herself after a run, she came right back to me as soon as I asked, and jumped into whatever gait I cued. She was soft and supple and just in a fantastic mood. I think getting out is really good for her :)
Every ride we've had recently just surpasses the one before and it's been getting better and better. I'm going to be really sad when I sell her ><
