the new lawnmower

We had an old Cub Cadet riding mower (it was originally Lynn's, so I think it was about 25 years old)  The body was solid, but the mower base was getting very rusty, John spent many hours fixing little problems.  I asked him if I could mow a few paths in the meadow to set up some jumps and x's for Kacee.  He kind of hemmed and hawed and said well " I guess, just don't hit too many rocks...and well I'll mow my gun range first"  He proceeded to mow his target range, managing to hit quite a few rocks....then turned the mower over to me.  I mowed 2 paths, very gently I might add and suddenly the mower didn't sound right.  I looked down and the belt was shredded and hanging outside where it shouldn't be.  So....when he asked if I was finished I told him we needed a new mower!  He kind of shrugged (better than what the response could have been!)  Needless to say, we have a new mower.  He loves it and the lawn looks awesome.  Things have come a long way in 25 years!  The best part too is that he did find a mower base at one of the cub cadet dealers for the old mower for $50.  Now he can use that mower to mow Robin's and I can keep the paths mowed in the meadow for riding and jumping!