What are you thinking?

More profound words have never been spoken. After an AWESOME ride on a forward, ground covering horse who was using his back and could not be mistaken for lacking impulsion, I got off and started to think "what just happened?" I mean the horse I felt and rode at the show vs. the horse I rode tonight were polar opposites. I took Blu for his shower and talked with our very wise barn manager and asked the question out loud. With great wisdom she simply asked "what were you thinking when you got on him at the show?... At home you get on and think 'let's go!' at the show do you think "what's he looking at... what's he going to do?" While I may not be outwardly nervous, I become a different rider mentally. Blu is smart enough to pick up on that caution and just slows the whole thing down to a level he thinks is manageable... He is the smart one, not me. So thank you Suzy for that "AHA" moment. Now to figure out how to change that internal message loop... yet another lesson to be learned all because of the most fabulous Blu. I just need to stop and listen to what he is telling me.