My Little Bay Horse

the best at dressage

I was going to do a write up about my really great lesson and accompanying pictures by Alyssa from last week, but I keep stopping because that's not really what's on my mind.

It happened. I had a great lesson. We talked about doing more with less (and how to sit in a dressage saddle) and I learned how to apply some concepts to improve all my rides (and showed C how I could get Courage to stick his head straight up every time I got tense).

And all that was very good.

But what stands out to me more is how far Courage and I have come together, even just this winter. I knew I tackled a big project when I got him straight off the track, but it was the right thing at the right time and I've never regretted it.

That said, moving him this winter and becoming solely responsible for his care and training has been a big step for me. It's not a new thing--I had the same responsibility with both Izzy and Cuna, but it's a first for Courage and I.

There's no one holding my hand. No one watching our every move. No helpful words of advice outside of lessons (because apparently I am the only nut job who thinks it's cool to ride on yet another frigid night in January).

And as we spend time together, our relationship changes a little bit. I've had plenty of rides start poorly and get worse and then I had to sort them out myself and find a way to make them positive. There was no throwing the reins away to someone else--Courage is all my problem right now.

I'm a better rider than I give myself credit for and Courage keeps reminding me that he really does want to be a good horse. We aren't the best or the fastest up the levels or the most talented, but we're melding into a team. We're learning what makes each other tick.

I've struggled relating to Courage because to me, he's always been "not Cuna". I don't have that passionate adoration and fiery connection that so defined my relationship with Cuna. I haven't held it against him, but it's definitely made me question what I'm doing on more than one occasion.

love this

And yet, as we learn new things and progress and make plans together, I'm starting to find my connection with Courage. The hallmarks of our relationship aren't the same as they have been with any other horse, but they've become uniquely ours.

I don't know where we're going. We're having fun exploring dressage. I still want to make it in the jumper ring. I love trail riding and I haven't ruled out working cows.

All I know is that wherever I'm going, there's a little blaze faced bay horse right there with me.