Cadence, Rhythm, Suspension, Swing, Through
"Riding through has other meanings for me as well. I've learned to ride through hard times, on and off a horse, when I thought about giving up. We all have to learn about riding through, because that's the only way we will arrive at our destination, whatever it may be." --Debbie McDonald, Olympic Medalist
Halting quietly, feeling him inhale and exhale, his tongue flipping and playing with the bit, pressing slightly forward and picking up my hand. Inside leg and outside rein lightly half -halt, and he pricks his ears. I look straight ahead, raise my hands slightly, inside lower leg outside thigh and he lightly springs forward, snorting excitedly. Lower back, abs soften, tighten, soften, tighten, absorb the shock. Thighs steady him, inside lower leg bumps against his side, inside rein closes, releases, closes, outside rein is steady, holding his excitement through a thin piece of leather. His inside hip rolls up, steps deep underneath him, lifting his ribcage and pressing his body into my outside aids. He softens, snorts, and repeats. I correct my dropped shoulder, sit back a bit through the short side of the arena. Another inside rein half halt, softening of the leg to straighten him, relax and lift seat. He rolls from back to front, lifting me and springing lightly off the ground. His shoulder, neck and ears rise in front of me, and his nostrils flare slightly as we lengthen steadily down the longside. Half halt with the seat, hold him, half halt and release the inside rein--again. Steady as he goes. Return to steady pace, steady tempo, normal stride, but the energy is there, a fire between my legs and I half halt twice to check his enthusiasm. [i]Steady, little prince.[/i] Two more half halts, more leg, his shoulders rise again, but his back raises and neck shortens lightly. I feel as if I am on a throne, rising and falling as I am lifted through the crowd. I can count aloud his even footfalls as his stride shortens, but spring increases. His ears are swiveled back, listening to my aids as I ask him for more energy, but prevent him from lengthening his stride. Step, spring, release. Step, spring, release. Half halt again. Soften my seat, relax my legs, drop my hand a bit and open my fingers, deep breath and relax. He steps up and through and drops softly into a walk. [i]one, two, three, four.[/i] I smile, reach forward, run a hand up his neck. He blows out softly and stretches down. One hand on the reins, one hand on my thigh, I smile down at him. Walk him out. [i]one, two, three, four.[/i] stepping through, soft, relaxed, rhythmic.
That is my dream.
He really is turning into a fancy horse. If only I could keep up with him.
Halting quietly, feeling him inhale and exhale, his tongue flipping and playing with the bit, pressing slightly forward and picking up my hand. Inside leg and outside rein lightly half -halt, and he pricks his ears. I look straight ahead, raise my hands slightly, inside lower leg outside thigh and he lightly springs forward, snorting excitedly. Lower back, abs soften, tighten, soften, tighten, absorb the shock. Thighs steady him, inside lower leg bumps against his side, inside rein closes, releases, closes, outside rein is steady, holding his excitement through a thin piece of leather. His inside hip rolls up, steps deep underneath him, lifting his ribcage and pressing his body into my outside aids. He softens, snorts, and repeats. I correct my dropped shoulder, sit back a bit through the short side of the arena. Another inside rein half halt, softening of the leg to straighten him, relax and lift seat. He rolls from back to front, lifting me and springing lightly off the ground. His shoulder, neck and ears rise in front of me, and his nostrils flare slightly as we lengthen steadily down the longside. Half halt with the seat, hold him, half halt and release the inside rein--again. Steady as he goes. Return to steady pace, steady tempo, normal stride, but the energy is there, a fire between my legs and I half halt twice to check his enthusiasm. [i]Steady, little prince.[/i] Two more half halts, more leg, his shoulders rise again, but his back raises and neck shortens lightly. I feel as if I am on a throne, rising and falling as I am lifted through the crowd. I can count aloud his even footfalls as his stride shortens, but spring increases. His ears are swiveled back, listening to my aids as I ask him for more energy, but prevent him from lengthening his stride. Step, spring, release. Step, spring, release. Half halt again. Soften my seat, relax my legs, drop my hand a bit and open my fingers, deep breath and relax. He steps up and through and drops softly into a walk. [i]one, two, three, four.[/i] I smile, reach forward, run a hand up his neck. He blows out softly and stretches down. One hand on the reins, one hand on my thigh, I smile down at him. Walk him out. [i]one, two, three, four.[/i] stepping through, soft, relaxed, rhythmic.
That is my dream.
He really is turning into a fancy horse. If only I could keep up with him.