Red tree day

There is a tree on the way to our trail that turns a deep, vibrant red for just a few days each October.  Every year we try to go on at least one ride coinciding with the peak colors. I have pictures of so many of my favorite horses with this tree.

And now, I have a picture of Olive with it, too.

Yesterday was the official Red Tree Day. Olive and I were joined by Mary Jo and Scarlett, Karen and Roy, Therese and Delilah and Claire and Thunder.

Olive likes going out in a big group. She walked out confidently and barely looked at the things that usually bother her.

Because of that, it didn't take long to reach the red tree.

We rode under it, then looped back around to take pictures.

This is everyone but Therese...

and everyone but me.

When that was done, we pointed our horses back in the direction of the trail and rode on.

We rode past the bench and onto a small, soft dirt path that parallels the main trail.

For most of the ride, Olive had been traveling comfortably mid pack, but now she decided she wanted to lead.

We got to the point where the dirt path rejoins the main trail. We often turn around here, and I assumed Olive would choose to do that. She didn't.

Instead, she just kept walking boldly into an area she had never seen before. For the first time, I got a glimpse of the bold, confident trail horse I think she will become.

Eventually, we got so far ahead of the group, we had to stop and wait for them to catch up. We talked about pushing on and trying a water crossing, but that felt like tempting fate. Olive had been so good. I thought it would be better to quit while we were ahead.

We rode home through the berm...

and the river bottom.

We passed the red tree and couldn't resist taking a few more pictures.

It took a long time to get Olive going down the trail, so I wasn't sure that I'd have a Red Tree Day this year. I'm so glad it worked out. It was a perfect day, with perfect company and a perfect pony.

Good girl, Olive. I'm already looking forward to Red Tree Day 2023.