Blazing saddles

Last Sunday, my friend, Karen, and I booked a ride with the Broken Saddle Riding Company in Cerillos, New Mexico. 

We mounted up and headed out. The trail took us into the Cerillos  Hills State Park. Our guide, Brad, told us that "cerillos" means hills, so it's "Hills Hills State Park."

No surprise, we were going uphill in no time.

My horse, Lily, was very lively. I don't think I've ever ridden a rental horse with so much go. Karen's horse was cut from the same cloth, and we were encouraged to let them move out whenever the trail allowed. Lily was foxtrotting in this clip. I didn't take any of us cantering, because she really was lively, and I needed both hands!

This area contains lots of old silver mines, most with fences around them.

As we got higher , the views got better.

Higher.

Higher.

Better!

There was an old looking building at the top.

I thought it was part of an old ghost town, but alas, it's a modern replica.

We rested the horses...

and I took photos.

Then Brad took photos of us. I love these!

Once everyone had caught their breath, we headed back down.

This trail was steeper and rockier with lots of switchbacks.

The horses handled it like the old pros they are.

Even in the steepest, rockiest stretches, Lily was still lively.

There were a few flattish spots where we were able to move out at a foxtrot/running walk and canter.

Nothing about this felt like a typical hourly trail ride.

Thank you, Lily, Shadow and Brad for such an amazing morning.

Karen and I enjoyed every minute.