Pistol is a Pistol

Before Camille left on Sunday, she wanted to ride Pistol.

Pistol was happy to come out and be groomed but she pinned her ears when I set the saddle on her back.  I checked to make sure nothing was scrunched up underneath or pinching her.  There wasn't.  She was not a fan of me tightening her girth, either.  I think she was in heat.

Camille walked her out to the small arena behind the barn.  Pistol danced next to her in a very un-Pistol-like way.  I suggested that we take Pistol into the round pen first and longe her.  Camille was in complete agreement.

I barely had the lead rope unclipped before Pistol took off at a very forward trot.  A few more strides and she broke into canter -- and didn't want to stop.  I longed her both directions then asked her to whoa.  She looked at me, stopped, and walked up to me.  It isn't the best longing etiquette but there wasn't anything about her attitude that indicated she was trying to get in my space.  Her eye had softened, the ears were happy, she had gotten whatever it was out of her system.

Pistol was very forward when Camille mounted.  Camille asked for a trot and got canter instead.  Pistol was feeling good.

She did eventually relax and settle.

I told Camille that Pistol knows Camille isn't afraid to canter, that she likes to canter, and Pistol is happy to oblige.  Camille has a lovely seat and when Pistol transitions up, Camille just goes with her.

Silly girl.

Crab Feed

Thank you everyone for the votes of confidence in me and Lucy.  I think we can do it too and I'm really excited, thinking about showing her.  A few lessons with Sandy, lots of practice and we'll be ready.  Piece of cake! (cough, choke, sputter, deep breath).

Kyle and Camille were up this weekend to join us at a crab feed.  There are crab feeds all over the place in January and February, while the Dungeness crabs are in season. Most of the crab feeds are fund raisers and the one we went to was no exception.  Remember the big fires we had last year?  The crab feed we went to was hosted by one of our favorite wineries, Skinner, and benefited the local volunteer fire department.

We got dressed -- warmly because the crab feed was held in winery's barrel room -- and headed out the door.  Camille brought her phone and snapped pictures.

The food was excellent and people bid generously on the auction items.  I think the fire department did quite well.  We even won a couple bottles of wine in the raffle.

They gave us bibs before the crab arrived.

As quick as the platter was emptied, they brought another.  Brett was in a groove, he went through a lot of crab, cracking the legs, pulling out the meat and dunking it in warm butter.

We were all stuffed when we left.  I love our community and the way it comes together in support of these sorts of things.