Nevado

Nevado is the name of the steed assigned to me.  He´s an eighteen year old gray Andalusian gelding of average height.  Although he seems a little old, he has plenty of spunk.  This very well trained critter responds to the mildest of touches.  He will be a joy to ride.

It´s so much nicer being in the country out of either the big city or tourist traps - real people here!

The last couple of days have been rather quiet, not a much riding as I´d like, but I did get in a nice walk around the area yesterday.  Monday was arrival day with no riding scheduled.  However, one of the other guests had scheduled a short trail ride and invited me along.  Johnny Walker (later to be changed by me to Johnny Rocket) was so tall I needed a step stool to get on to him.  Nice big horse, fun to ride.  I asked Joe, our guide, if he was red label or black, then decided based on his color red label was most suitable.  Nice horse, I could have ridden him for the week with no regrets.

The participants for the ride are a mid 40s Swiss couple Marten and Frances, Roger & Nina another mid 40s couple from Oslo, Norway, mid fifties Chris from eastern Canada, and finally 64 year old Harold (originally from Jamaica, Mon) and Susan, his 52 year old wife both from New Jersey.  Roger is not a rider, but is here to play golf while the rest of the participants ride.  No complaints about this group, everyone is very upbeat with good senses of humor and fun discussions.

Son Menut is a very professional outfit.  There´s always lots going on - a variety of children, grownups, lessons being given, horses in training, mares with new foals; just lots of activity.  There are nearly 100 horses at this finca (farm).  Yesterday morning was a group lesson.  In my observation, everyone here is more skilled then me.  Joe, our guide for the week, is very good - fun personality, always a smile on his face, informative and an extremely knowledgeable horseman.  Although he gave us some riding instruction, I´ve little doubt it was more for his purpose of observing us and arranging the most appropriate steed match up.  It is as a result of this session that I´ve been paired with Nevado.

Okay, I started this chapter four days ago but the time has not been my own since.  Therefore, I´ll send it on its way then follow up later with more details.