Getting back to business

Most everyone knows I took a partial sabbatical from riding for about 3.5 yrs while I explored some running. I enjoyed the running and achieved modest success. I have now returned to riding and hope to build on my past adventures in that.

I was fortunate, in the past, to have had a horse, Taylor, to learn the ropes of 3 day eventing on. Sadly Taylor has died but I am doubly fortunate to have a second chance on a horse I have owned for 12 years. See Riley's profile for details.

I start this blog so that I can document my successes and failures in bringing Riley back to full fitness and hopefully compete in 3 day eventing with him. Also there is the possibility of a young horse down the road and I want to be able to look back and see what worked and what didn't.

Tonight was the first huge success. I have struggled with lead changes for years with him. Tonight, I saw the light!! I saw where the missing piece was, put it in place and boom, there was the lead change. I knew what the piece was, I just didn't know how to observe it and fix it. It's all about his shoulders. They want to go left really badly. All I do is a gentle block and a kick with the outside leg and he changes leads. Wow. Of course, there is always tomorrow and it may not work but I feel I am headed in the right direction. That folks was an example of awareness. Awareness, I have not felt in quite some time.