I have a new one....

Was riding my horse this week and he worked really well in the arena so I took him out in the back field to walk and cool down and relax. Silly me. The wind was up and he was up and I ended up singing to him to settle him-- first time I have needed to do that in ages. We got around the bend facing the bigger field and I saw a bird on our path, curvy neck just above the grass-- about an eight of a mile or more away. I kept my eyes on the bird and made sure I was sitting niiiice and deep. Walked and walked up to about where I saw it. No bird. Made noise. Kept looking. Walked and we were just about ten feet from the end of the field and I thought, "Huh, the bird must have gone a different direction." WHAM. Flushed the pheasant right underneath Will's front feet. Landed on the ground so fast I don't even know how I got there. Did we spin? Did he jump sideways? I have no idea. Some friend he is. He took one terrified look at me and spooked huge and gallopped home, spooking about every ten feet at the bushes next to the field, scaring my barnmates who were peacefully getting their horses ready to ride and heard the gallopping and saw him return without me.

Stupid bird.

But how about you all? Any crash stories you'd like to share???