To ride dressage is to dance with your horse, equal partners in the delicate and sometimes difficult work of creating harmony and beauty.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A good ride is like a drug

Had a great short schooling session with Russell in the arena before the farrier arrived this morning. I felt like I was remembering to do all the right stuff (an easy self delusion to have when it's been ages since I've had a lesson) so that Russell could give me his best stuff, like lifting his back and shoulders and stretching over the topline and bending correctly. We got really nice trot and canter departs and downward transitions, lovely lateral work, and eager stretches when he got a free rein. I even had the passing thought that if there was a Third Level scratch at Dressage at DevonWood this weekend, we could probably go in and look presentable! (The rational part of my brain SO knows that's not true; see what I mean about a drug?)

Friend Debbie and I do plan to pop over to DevonWood tomorrow to visit the vendors and take in a bit of the show. This is the second year in a row I'll not be there with a horse; all the showing I used to do is starting to feel like a lifetime ago. You'd think with all the money I haven't been spending on lessons and show fees that I'd see a difference in my bank account!

3 comments:

Shula said...

I'm glad you had a great time with Russell :)

I have just signed up for my first dressage show which should be August 8th. We are just doing Intro test A and B, but it will be great to go to our first show. Nervous and excited about it.

Michelle said...

YAY, Shula! Russell and I will be cheering on you and Muppet from afar!

A :-) said...

So glad to hear that Russell is getting better and better. Guess horses have to take their time healing just like humans (I know whereof I speak on that one ;-D)

I bet you'll be back in the ring before you know it!