Happy Birthday, Charlie!

He's growing up! 7 years old

Charlie's birthday presents will be arriving in the mail soon (I ordered some open front jump boots to kick start our jumping career, as well as a western saddle pad), but I made sure to give him lots of  treats in the meantime: extra cookies, mints in his mash, and we shared an apple after a really nice hack around the ring and a fun little trail ride in the woods. 

He was a gem. Although I decided against tackling the full stream (Charlie has this thing about water and the stream was pretty bubbly from all the rain earlier in the week), Charlie willingly went through shallower water that was running over the path, was a pro at traversing two gates (while I was in the saddle), bravely followed a narrow spot of trail that crossed over the creek, and calmly watched as a kid zoomed around on a giant lawnmower right in front of him. I'd say it was a good day :)