11/25/06
Niles at Opening Meet
Katie practiced his French Braid the night before,
but other than that, really had nothing to worry about.

Niles did find the blessing a bit frustrating, because Katie
wouldn't let him go talk to the nice man in the white robe. But,
once we started riding out, he relaxed completely and knew
what he was doing.

He wasn't as challenged by the trails this time, but there were
 more horses in the field and tension levels were higher. Still, Katie
 had a delightful ride, and thought he was the funniest horse. He'd
try to go and investigate any strange rock or bush that they happened upon.
After 3 hours, he was a little damp under the saddle, and seemed eager for more.

We discovered on Sunday that two days of activity only made him love
the idea of getting out more. When the trailer left without him, he was
definitely disappointed that he wasn't on it.
(Click here to see more pictures from Opening)
Waiting at the trailer while we shuttled other horses around. I had 3 horses out, and needed help getting the extra ones to the hunt.
 

Niles got a bath the day before.
Katie on Niles and me on Mo. That's my mother and niece on the ground.
 
Heading to the blessing.
The french braid stayed in the entire hunt.
 
Katie kept backing up Niles, because he kept creeping forward to go talk to Father Holland. 
Niles was happy when they finally got to go over and get the St Hubert's medal.
 
Katie and Niles stayed to the back for the first half of the hunt. 
Coming in to the Tally Ho Wagon. 
 
Both of our guys were great. 
The gang.
Four of the horse out were mine, and two used to be.
These are Niles, Othello, Angel, Thuy, Mo and Thistle.
 
Niles was pretty good at checks. 
The field trotting on. I tried to keep distance between Mo and the other horses. 
 
Going through Dragon Jump gate. 
Niles loves the cameraman. 
 
Heading in to the trailers.