Lesson with Steffen Peters today

I don't have time to go into much detail right now, but I just wanted to let everyone know Fizzy and I did a lesson with Steffen Peters today. The lesson went super well, and Steffen definitely reinforced the work we've been doing for the last few months on our own. I was most proud of Fizzy for giving me the exact same piaffe, passage and rideability in these two things that we've had at home. I hope Steffen didn't think I was too over-zealous in telling Fizzy what a good boy he was the whole ride, but I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me that Fizzy and I are now on the same page about so many things...

In these last few days (especially yesterday, when I did the canter tour and final center line from the Grand Prix in schooling)... I feel like, finally... finally, I'm becoming less of a tourist and more of a native in the Grand Prix work. The sense of surprise and excitement that comes with the intensity of the work (and how quickly it comes up in a test! :-)) is slowly giving way to a deep appreciation for the "land" that is the Grand Prix ring. I guess I'm not quite a native yet.... but I'm at least a better tourist guide now for poor Fizzy. LOL.

I also felt like a total dork today, when at the end of my lesson I felt this great excitement for the path of training ahead of me... I feel now, more than ever, that Fizzy and I are on a clear, purposeful path to becoming the very best Grand Prix horse and rider combination we can... and as I've always, always said, my favorite part of this all is in the journey... Because the cool thing about riding, is that there are always higher mountains to climb, better sunsets to see, and the incredible feeling that just when you think you know what this journey is all about, your eyes are opened to a whole new world. I don't think that part of the tourist in me will ever go away- the absolute wonderment at these animals that I have the privilege to ride every day. :-) Thanks all you guys.

Lizzy+the incredible Fizzy