Starting Jetblue Under Saddle

I'm lucky. I get to watch miracles unfold every day. Two-and-a-half years ago, our mare, Drifty, delivered a gorgeous blue roan filly before our eyes.  For me, witnessing a live birth is one of the most profound experiences in life. Watching Drifty give birth to "Jetblue" was an enormous gift.

Jetblue entered the world on her own terms, with attitude plus. From the start, the filly pinned her ears at anyone who dared to get close to her or her mama; she kicked the farrier. Lorenzo sized her up in a heartbeat: "She's an alpha." Clearly, we had our work cut out for us, but we were also up to the challenge.

This is one of my favorite snapshots of Jetblue the day after she was born -- it's easy to see all that attitude!

Every step, from teaching Jetblue to lead to lunging to haunch turns and obstacle work, from trailering and clipping and hoof-cleaning and trimming and bathing, from saddling and biting up, has been a joy. We've managed to successfully channel Jetblue's strengths while making good use of her wonderful work ethic. The results are impressive. Jetblue already has a big stack of blue ribbons, a testament to her try.

Today was another milestone for Jetblue and for us. We introduced the bosal and did some ground training before putting weight in Jetblue's stirrup and laying across her back. It was going so well that we decided to swing into the saddle and sit for fifteen seconds. Did I mention it was fifteen seconds of pure bliss?

I didn't know what to expect, but I placed my trust in Jetblue. As I settled in the saddle, my filly sighed and relaxed her body. We're off to an amazing start.