To take a horse trip across America and not stop in Kentucky seems unimaginable.  So, Day 3 saw us driving the AAHighway from its eastern start across the Ohio River from Ironton to its western end just south of Cincinnati.  To say driving the AA is seeing Kentucky is a stretch since this winding country highway runs just a few miles south of the Ohio River for its entire course.  Still, it was a lovely drive that shifted from some pretty steep climbs in the Appalachian foothills at its eastern end, to rolling hills and open meadows at its center, to steeper climbs again as we got into the creases ancient glaciers had pushed as their southward journey ran out of steam here in Northern Kentucky.  The end of the road for us was the First Farm Inn in Petersburg, the last exit in Kentucky before you cross into Indiana.

First Farm Inn has a gracious historic house with well-appointed rooms for the humans and an outstanding pasture for the horses.  Still, I have to admit, I was a little disheartened to learn that the only real trail riding of any length was a 25-minute drive away. We’d meant to give the boys a day off of trailering on Day 4 and both Kurt and I had work to do – me to run a work meeting via zoom, him to check in with a number of Oregon constituents interested in the status of matters back in DC.  So, we drank some Kentucky Bourbon and decided we’d stay close to home the next day and just exercise the boys with a quick ride around the property.

Over breakfast, Jen said she’d join us and I really wondered why we needed a guide to ride around her 20-acre farm.  Still, the more the merrier so we tacked up and waited for her in the pasture.  What followed was a delightfully surprising nearly 2-hour experience.  For, you see, Jen is a very skilled horse trainer and a knowledgeable centered-riding instructor.  And, she’s got what few riding instructors have -- tact.  She climbed on a 3-year-old gelding she’d only recently purchased and had that youngster performing like a pro.  When she wasn’t firmly but kindly schooling him, she was firmly but kindly schooling us.  And Kurt and I both benefitted from the impromptu lesson.  She soon had Kurt’s stirrup leathers lengthened and had subtly prompted me to my heels down.  It just goes to show you, there’s always more to learn -- or relearn -- if you’re open to coaching.

If you want to learn more about First Farm Inn:  https://www.firstfarminn.com