June 21st was the longest day of the year. We’ve had glorious days around the Solstice — with the sun setting close to 8:30! You just have to take advantage of an opportunity like that.

Our hunt club holds an annual solstice ride and this year the evening was perfect. The oppressive humidity dissipated and we were blessed with a lovely summer evening.

I rode Zelda because I wanted a quiet ride. Freedom managed to spook into me that morning (more on that later) and stepped on me hard.

Unfortunately, no one read Zelda the memo. She thought we were hunting and she was mighty disappointed when we ambled off without any hounds. Who knew that a horse that big and solid could levitate? There were certainly several moments when all four feet were off the ground! I was seriously doubting my wisdom when the bucking started but luckily, I found a solution: I let her lead. We were in charge of the hilltopping group and as soon as she was out in front, she calmed right down, crossed every stream

and bridge and basically redeemed herself.

We rode a bit more than six miles and everyone in my group looked happy when we got back to the trailers for a tailgate picnic.

The only bad news is that the days are getting shorter now. After such a terrible winter, don’t we deserve a few more longest days?