After our sleigh ride on Sunday, Sjoeke and Diederik were led back into the barn.
Now, I’m really not sure exactly how this next event came about, but I think Motor Man was at the center of it.
Sara, the barn manager, helping me with my helmet
Yep, you guessed it.
I had a riding lesson.
Me. On a Friesian. A Friesian named Yarro.
Now, I must admit that it was actually more of a pony ride – no way was I going to let Sara let go of that “lunge” line. She kept asking how I felt; “awkward” was the best I could do. But it was fun, and will always be a special memory.
Then it was time to say good bye to the Labrie family and those amazing Friesians and start the long trip home. At least we had gorgeous New England-in-the-winter scenery to help ease the sadness of leaving.
Motor Man stopped the truck and took this next picture from his window. That’s snow blowing in the background.
Does this picture not say: “Vermont in winter”?
Shortly after leaving Townshend, we passed this covered bridge, so we took out our trusty tripod and snapped a picture.
This was a perfect weekend, one that I know we’ll always remember. Thanks for enduring all the many photos (at least I didn’t share all 500 of them).
Although next week, we’ll be back to our “regularly scheduled programming”, you can probably guess that some future barn and fence photos will be from this trip.
these days of mine 
This was fabulous, what a wonderful experience! I would have LOVED seeing all 500 photos. Thanks for sharing these and the entire series!
Thanks, Caren! I narrowed down my 50 favorite pics and printed them today to put in an album.
What a nice surprise to get a riding lesson too. I simply can’t say enough about the totally sweet expression in the eyes of every single Friesian you’ve shared a photo of – “kind” – “gentle” …..they are so beautiful. That was a lovely trip for you guys to take in the winter wonderfulness of Vt. !
Pam
Aren’t they just SO beautiful?!
Such a cool trip Dianne! Vermont is absolutely gorgeous in the snow! You two really have some great adventures! 🙂
What a fabulous account of your magical weekend! 500 photos would not have bored me, I am sure! You looked so natural up there, riding Yarro! Thank you for sharing the adventure with us, and thanks, Motor Man for giving our special friend a time to remember!
I don’t know about “natural”, but it was fun!
I see another Vermont adventure in your future. You had too much fun not to make a return trip. And, no, you didn’t look awkward on Yarro. Do we see a horse in your future?
I agree with Linda! You look like a natural and that smile on your face makes me smile. How fun this was, I don’t want it to be over!
I’m afraid next week’s posts may be a bit boring….
No I don’t think so!
Let’s see. Now where can you board a horse in Smithfield. I am sure Motor Man has already looked into that! Such an adventure. Aren’t covered bridges the neatest. So glad you got to “ride” one of the beautiful horses. Thanks for all the photos.
I don’t think so, Doris. I’m a bit “mature” to take on ownership of a horse!
You look very at home up there on Yarro.
He probably knew how unexperienced I was and was very patient with me, Georgette!
i doubt many folks can say they’ve ridden a friesian. very cool!
“Ridden”….? Well, I SAT on one!
ok, so when you say ‘stopped the truck’, did you drive to Vermont in JR’s 1979 Ford Ranger with 864,362 miles on it?!
Or did you fly and rent a truck?!
We have a “newer” truck – only 84,000 miles on this one! But it isn’t 4-wheel drive, which would have been nice…
A fitting closing chapter to the weekend! It’s good you did a riding lesson while you were there, and all of these pics show a perfect Vermont winter !
Thanks for taking care of Sundae for us!
You look great on that beautiful horse, Dianna. The scenery is lovely, can’t wait to see more.
We picked the perfect weekend!
Such a special New England feel to those shots! And brave you – a riding lesson!! Not sure I would have dared!
Well, more like a pony ride…but I was definitely “up there”!
Oh my gosh…I bet you felt like you were in a dream! I bet you kept pinching yourself didn’t you? 😉
Love the snow they’ve gotten out that way. Sure wish we’d get some too!
~d.
That’s my hubby: making my dreams come true!
Was that your first time on a horse? If so, you looked very at ease. (Must be that horse whisperer thing. 😉 ) Awesome New England photos, can’t wait to see some more. Of course, if I want to look at snow, all I have to do is look out my window. 😀
I’ve had very limited time on horses before….very limited. Yarro was the perfect gentleman though!
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us! What a dream trip.
What fun photos! It’s been a long time since I was on a horse. I loved horse-back riding, but we gave up having them when we moved here.
This was a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing it with us!
It looks like you had a wonderful time – the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I wish we sometimes got snow like that.
Well done on the horse riding lesson. We once went on a pony trek – I was really nervous but did enjoy it :))
Hope you had a lovely New Year.
What a dream of a weekend you had. I loved the picture of the church in the snow. Lovely!!
You will never know how much I enjoyed these entries! Perhaps a trip to Vermont is in my future!
Thanks, Debbie! (Oh, and those pictures of the two of us were taken with a tripod, I always think of you when we use it!)
And a riding lesson! How wonderful! Had you ridden before? I adore the photos…just stunning snow pictures! Really nice!
How fun! Beautiful scenery. I must make it to Vermont at some point in my life.
The scenery was unbelievably gorgeous, and those horses were just icing on the cake!
What a perfect winter wonderland! Beautiful snow, beautiful horses, and I love the New England churches and bridge. Like postcard photos! ~ Sheila
Just when I thought your adventure couldn’t get any more wonderful you post this awesome chapter 3. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous and joy filled journey with us. 🙂