On November 16, Berkeley had her 3rd horse show. She signed up for the "walk" category and won 3rd place. It was freezing cold and windy that day and we were all frozen solid and completely numb when it was over. She groomed Ellie, (a retired race horse) and spent all kinds of time giving her treats and preparing her for the show. Ellie accidentally stepped on Berk's foot and Berkeley pushed and pinched her till she finally moved. Berkeley never cried...I kept asking her if her foot was ok and if it was painful to walk on. I was scared to take her boot off to see if it was broken. Berkeley kept insisting it was fine and never made a peep about it. Another little girl got stepped on by a smaller horse a couple of months ago and cried so hard we figured it was broken and has not been back to lessons since. Not Berk, since she has been stepped on, she has fallen off Ellie twice while jumping her. All she has done is silently cried for a minute and then Miss Sarah, her instructor, has gotten her right back up there riding again. I can't believe it...I can't hardly watch anymore for fear it's going to send me into labor, but Berk is a hard core rider. I think she has figured out that if she gets hurt I won't be able to handle it and won't let her ride anymore. I think she's right :) It's really nerve wracking to watch your 8 yr old fall off an enormous horse. It must be in her blood though, because she can't seem to get enough! Nice job Berkeley-you have a way with the horses and they seem to really love you. You are one BRAVE little girl!
