It was a beautiful day here in New York.

My friend, Lisa Novitsky, offered to take some photos of me riding Beike. They came out real well, so I had to pass them on to you.

What a gal our Beike is!

Today was the first time that I tried the picket jump with her, and she just sailed over it, again and again. She also did her lead changes so nicely after the jump. She is so easy to rate for the jumps, it's an absolute BLAST. It's all that great dressage training. She can go from long stride to short stride and back to long, INSTANTLY on request.

Today, also, was the first time that I let the "gang at the barn" ride her. WHAT A SCHOOLMASTER. The gals (six of them), all took turns "taking a test ride" on my girl, and she was wonderfully behaved. She went from "hunter frame" to "dressage frame" and back again...meeting the requests of each individual gal. They were ALL in love. "SO THAT'S WHAT A SHOULDER-IN IS SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE!", said one of the gals, "WHEN CAN I SIGN UP FOR LESSONS ON HER?"

She got a nice warm bath, and several fresh apples today for treats. There is no doubt that she is a celebrity in my barn, and she gets "star" treatment.

Well...she's EVERYTHING that I could ever ask for in a horse for myself...for my personal fun and enjoyment, and for my lesson program.

Dressage horse, trail riding, carriage driving, lesson horse, jumper... and best friend..... she does it all!