Rather than catch you all up on our latest adventures, I thought I would post about something that has become a big part of Christopher's life over the last year and a half. I think it is safe to say that Phil and I share a love for horses (well, really all animals) and it warms my heart to no end to see Christopher falling in love right along with us. Before he came home he received many gifts and toys from friends and family; the most prominent of these was a 4 foot tall, ride-on, stuffed horse from my brother -which now lives in our Kitchen (doesn't everyone have a 4 ft tall horse in their kitchen)? Christopher's first visit outside to see our real horses was a bit of a disaster, and after being sneezed on, he would scream whenever he saw a horse for a couple months! It was this handsome indoor steed that gave him the confidence to make friends with the horses again....and even try a turn in the saddle!
Home around two months and having a ball riding his first "horsey" around the living room. It is hard to believe he was this little when he came home!
We decided to let him try his hand at riding a real miniature first since they are not quite so intimidating.
Getting to know Goldie..
At first he was not so sure (notice the look of sheer terror)!
...but within minutes the terror gave way to elation, and at that moment the boy was hooked!
Aside from perhaps "choo choos", there is nothing on Earth Christopher loves more than horses! (smart boy!) He has since made friends with some of the most gentle giants you could ever know.
Boomer aka "The Most Beautiful Horse in the World"
whom we miss every day.
I am glad he had the chance to know him, if even for just a short time.
Billy, our Superhero.
Phil was riding him in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC the day Christopher was born.
Such a sweet moment between them. Sharing a secret and a gentle rub on the nose. I think Christopher would have gladly taken him out to play if he could open the gate at that point. Luckily for Christopher, Billy is already a wonderful kids' horse.
Sunny is one of our rescued angels, and she is as sweet and cheerful as her name. She is 13, so she may be Christopher's first "big" horse of his very own when he gets a little older, and I bet he can't wait! He already gets to sit on her in the paddock and loves every second!
This handsome little man is Chief..... he's crazy. ;o)
Actually, he is still a stallion, and I am pretty sure testosterone is a neurotoxin to tiny horse brains. LOL! He definitely doesn't know he is only 3 feet tall! He is quite the little stinker and darn near impossible to catch at times.... but not for Christopher. For some reason these two just click and Christopher can walk right up to him with a halter.
He could even put it on him all by himself by the time he was two!!!
Taking Chief for a walk....
He is learning what it takes to have and care for horses of your very own. It's a lot of hard work, and Christopher is not afraid to get his hands dirty and help out
- even the hardest times of the year.
Feeding Bailey in the snow!
Christopher is learning that becoming a good rider takes lots of practice
....and he LOVES to practice!
Riding in a real saddle on his kitchen horse (he'll sit up there for hours)....
He'll practice wearing his helmet (or in this case Mom's)...
He'll practice on his "Baby Mo Mo"...
He'll practice on Daddy....
He even practiced once on a lego horse! :o)
Dad shows him how to do it with the real Moses (aka Mo Mo).
Then Christopher shows Dad a thing or two! See Daddy - this is how you do it!
He even rides in his dreams!
Snuggling with his "Baby Bailey" aka "Baby". She goes everywhere with him!
If he can't ride them, he'll give them a ride!!
Taking his friend for a spin in the carrier.
He even dressed up as a pony for Halloween last year (ok, yes it was my idea, but he didn't argue and he loved his little tail)!
Christopher is already a seasoned traveler to some of the most spectacular horse shows on earth. Last year we attended the FEI World Equestrian Games (the first time they have ever been held in the US), and this year we made it to the Rolex Three Day event in Kentucky. We watched the cross country event and whenever a horse jumped an obstacle on it's way by Christopher would clap and yell "More, More"!! :o) Perhaps eventing is in his future!
I couldn't help but notice that there was no Korean presence at these shows, and can't help but wonder if our little man's love of horses and riding could change that some day. No pressure, I am completely fine if he "outgrows" them and moves on to something else, but you never know. I will support him in whatever he desires in life! It only makes sense that a boy who lives with 11 horses will have some inclination towards them, but we have lots of friends with horses, and very few of them have kids that are as horse crazy as our little man! Maybe he just feeds off our enthusiasm - or maybe this horse loving bug is contagious.....
