Business travel will take me out of town for a good portion of this week so I wanted to make sure I got a ride in today. A break cleared mid-day, my prayers were answered and off to the barn I went. I whirled into the parking lot and practically sprinted out to the paddock -- not a second to waste. I calculated that if I could keep my commute and prep time down to a minimum, this would give me a full hour in the saddle. I had to be back for a 2pm meeting... So Blu was quite happy to see me coming right up to the gate for the bribe, I mean snack, I had in my pocket. I explained to him the haste with which I dispatched him and he was fine as long as there was the occasional treat.
He was fresh today. Of course gale force winds blew across Sawyer Hill stirring all the ponies into a frenzy. He spooked at every door and every strange noise he heard. I decided to just pick up the reins and go to work because walking on a long rein was an invitation to anarchy. So we did our walk warm up on the bit and did lots of lateral work, bending and transitions walk/ halt. He got the message quickly. Have I said lately just how smart this horse is?
He was really strong but I just love when he comes out that way. It gives me a lot to work with. By the end of the ride I even had a little piaffe and it was not an evasion tactic. He was honest into the bridle and through his back. He was yet once again magnificent. We did a walk through of 2-1 and if I did not know better I think he knows the darn thing... Was he checking out the new tests on the USEF website???
So I go off to the frozen tundra of MN with a smile on my face and a warm spot in my heart. May my memories keep me in comfort as I sit through all day meetings and long for my next ride.
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