I <3 NH

Dressage. n.
(1) The art of riding and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility, and balance.
(2) The guiding of a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider's hands, legs, and weight.
(3) That phase where you go in circles in a sand box and, if you're riding a certain chestnut thoroughbred mare, you spend most of the ride managing her list of complaints.

All things considered, would you rather practice your dressage or hack out and see views like this?

The view from Woodmont Orchard in Hollis, NH

Yeah, that's what Fiona says, too. Stops to eat clover, apples right off the trees, and open spaces? Sign her up!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am so lucky to ride in Hollis. Just a jaunt down the street puts us in the town forest and it's still commutable from the 495 loop. Hard to believe that this scene is just an hour away from the chaos of metro-Boston.

To my trainer, Fiona would like to convey a message:

Sorry about the dressage progress, but we'll get right on fixing that little . . . weight issue. A couple hours of riding a day should do the trick so much better than cutting back grain rations. Really, let's not do anything hasty. This is easily managed: More food, more galloping.

Love, the Princess.