I Miss Saddleseat

I miss saddle seat. I went out to see my old mare the other night and it hit me. She's getting old... 17 next spring. Time is slowing her down, stiffening her limbs, and the winter nights keep us at an easy workout. I stretched out her legs and thought back to our show days together, and the days showing a string of other National Show Horses. She introduced me to saddle seat. The thrill of competition. The power of a long, lean horse beneath you whose muscles so finely sculpted, quiver with anticipation of each shift of weight, cluck of the tongue, or touch of the leg; Rocking back on their powerful hindquarters, responding with a high, collected head carriage and lifting up in front to almost touch knee to nose in huge stride. There's no better feeling than a completely unified 'park trot' down the straight way of an arena. You're on top of the world, guiding a powerful beast in untouchable valor. Hang on, sit back, balance, and get ready for the ride of your life!