Finished with fundamentals

We have completed our summer lessons with the Clinton Anderson-trained Katherine Clark. We did around 8 or 9 lessons together, and she taught me how to do the fundamentals that she thought would be more applicable to me, and to Tex.
The red piece of paper is what she gave me to remember each exercise. Although we're finished with lessons, we're not through with practicing and mastering these exercises.

Throughout the process, I realized two fears that I have- trotting/loping downhill, and loping in any sort of somewhat wet environment. I have visual pictures of my horse bucking me all the way down a hill, and also of him loping along, hitting a muddy spot, losing his footing, and flipping over on me. So I must overcome those fears.

Today I got up and rode at 7 am - 7:35 or so in the shady pasture, and when we finished, unsaddled and tied Tex in the far corner away from his buddies.

When I came back about an hour later, he happened to have his whole body against the fence- just right for me to climb on the fence and swing over his bare back. So, I looped the lead rope over his neck and gave it a try. I figured it wouldn't be far to the ground if he pitched a fit. We walked, stopped and backed along the way for about 50 yards until we reached the barn. THAT was the highlight of my whole day! It felt great to have him just respond to my seat and the halter to stop and back. I look forward to many more hours of bareback riding with my little cow horse!