Common sense has never been my strong suit, and that sometimes makes for some entertaining times on the farm. Let’s just say that my first ride on Eli/Sweet Roll, my new off-the-track Thoroughbred, didn’t go quite as smoothly as I might have hoped.

I did start with a sensible plan. I picked a warm weekend day for our first ride. I talked my husband into being my ground person and videographer. But I began to veer off course as soon as I brought Eli in from the field.