Country Living

Living in the country is great, but I am learning to plan my shopping trips. Here, it is not possible to walk a few blocks to pick up milk at the corner store or pop over to the mall for a quick shop. While there is a small general store about 5 miles away, it takes more than 20 minutes to get to the closest grocery store. Serious shopping — at major retailers — requires a 40-minute drive (one-way) to Leesburg.

While I am not doing a lot of walking, I am doing a lot of riding, which is fine with me. There is so much countryside to explore. You can ride for hours across farmer’s fields, through woods and along hunt trails. Spring has arrived but it is still too early for planting so the fields are a great place condition the horses — with solid footing and no obstacles.

Nikita the dog is staying in shape too by accompanying me when I condition Winnie. She is such a pleasure to ride, I don’t mind trotting circles around the neighboring fields to put some muscle on her in preparation for the upcoming competition season.

Nikki is away for a few weeks so I’m getting in shape myself by riding several horses a day. At first, all that time is the saddle lead to some soreness, in places you only notice when you ride — particularly as you sit back in the saddle again. However, I’ve managed to work through the pain discomfort; it’s all worth it to be riding this much.