Aftermath

The only thing worse than driving three and a half night hours into the night with an eleven year old's dying pony, is making that same drive in reverse with an empty trailer.

It was four forty five in the morning when we arrived in Manteo. Rachel went to be with her family, and I went to bed. I woke up a few hours later, not rested exactly, but functional. Rachel was sleeping, so I spent some quiet time with her daughters, who had stayed home from school, watching tv, playing with the dogs and visiting the horses. 

Emma invited me into her room so that I could see her model horses.

They're at a concert.

The Paso Fino is the singer.

I also got to see Emma's trophy for being the youngest rider at last year's Florida Cracker Trail.

After that, Rylie showed me her Breyers and trophies.

Also, this amazing photo of Rachel on her former horse, Sig. What a shot!

It wasn't ever going to be a good day. Everyone was much too sad and tired for that. Still, it wasn't all bad. We went out for lunch and ice cream. The kids and dogs played in the pool. Rachel and I watched Unbranded. In the evening, a bunch of Rachel's riding friends came over with cake and presents. 

Everyone agreed that Rylie's Razzle was the best pony ever.

Obviously, no one planned for any of this to happen. I'd just met Rachel and her family a couple days before, and spending this very hard day with them could have been really awkward. The fact that it wasn't is a testament to how comfortable I felt in their home and how much I like, not just Rachel, but her entire family. I am truly looking forward to spending some less complicated time with them again, hopefully sooner rather than later.