Photo byJeremy BishoponUnsplash

In the whimsical state of Arkansas, also known as the "Natural State", there's a band of hoof-thumping, tail-wagging, mane-flicking kids who've found their happy place on horseback. The state is so full of lush forests, meandering rivers, and towering mountain ranges that it's almost as if Mother Nature herself had decided to create a picture-perfect playground for horse-loving children. Our story takes place with an amusingly eccentric character named Galloping Gertie. Gertie is not your average gal, oh no siree! She has a head full of frizzy red hair, speckled freckles all over her face, and an odd, but endearing, laugh that sounds like a galloping horse. And that's not even the best part! Gertie has a magical ability to understand and speak 'horse-language'. Yes, you heard it right, 'horse-language'! The children who participate in horseback riding activities in Arkansas are not just ordinary kids, they're mini-adventurers, pint-sized explorers, and tiny daredevils. Whether they're learning to trot or mastering a canter, each day brings a new challenge and a new triumph. These kids are as determined as stubborn mules and as brave as wild stallions. Each day after school, you can see kids dashing towards the stables faster than Gertie can say "Neigh!". They greet their horses, share secrets and before you know it, they're racing across the pastures, their laughter echoing through the valleys. Gertie, with her unique talent, often acts as a translator between the kids and their equine friends, ensuring a strong bond of friendship and a barrel of laughs. In Arkansas, the sun might set, but the adventures of Galloping Gertie and her horseback-riding kids continue. So, saddle up and join the ride, because in the "Natural State", the fun is as endless as the open trail.