Airs Above the Ground

For anyone who was not horse-besotted enough to have this book on their must-read list as a 13-year old, the title of this post references a novel based in the famous Lippizaner school in Austria. I bring it up now because I got to ride Makilou, the fourth level dressage horse (for non-equestrians, these are the ones you see on ESPN and in the Olympics) belonging to my friend Beth.

Beth is very generous with Maki. She fully appreciates the rare, talented, beautiful creature she has in her possession and was kind enough to let me ride him through some moves that most of us never get to experience. I felt the full collection of the piaffe (when horses trot in place) and felt a canter that was so slow and articulated that you could have walked beside of me at a normal pace and still kept up. I feel like I have experienced one of the world's great wonders!

A canter is the cure for every evil ~ Benjamin Disraeli

After getting back on Rocky, my regular mount, a speedy, sporty jumper, I got to experience a whole different type of "air above the ground." Rocky can do a controlled canter that is faster than most of us drive on a residential street. And he can clear large obstacles while doing so. Fun, fun, fun!!!! To truly fly and have that moment in the air when your two heartbeats are all you hear, to share the impact of the landing, helping each other get ready for the next fence. Such things are the stuff of miracles.

In riding a horse, we borrow freedom. ~ Helen Thompson

Cannot wait until Andra is back here to share this with me!!

Rocky shows off his 110 pound weight gain. He is looking buff - but needs a little more weight!