My oh my...

You know what I did today when I got off my horse? I told him, "Thank you." and gave him a kiss on the nose. He was brilliant, again, for what seems like the umpteenth time in a row... actually, it's been just over two weeks now since our string of fabulous rides started. Thanks to, specifically, Dr. Steve Engle (chiropractor), Kate Athanas Wilson (my saddle fitter who's in Port Jervis, New York and flew down to Florida specially to see the Fizz- www.dutchessbridleandsaddle.com ) and Sal Salvetti (Fizzy's massage person, and also one of his favorite people in the entire world. As a side note, Sal left for New England today where he will spend most of the summer, so for all you lucky people up there- Sal's website is: www.salmassage.com Call him. He is amazing).

This past winter season just wasn't meant to be ours. Fizzy was so up and down in his work, and I felt like the whole time something was bothering him... it turns out it was my saddle the whole time... Kate and I had discussed that he had lost some weight, but he was still too wide for the Albion 315 tree size... which was the next narrowest that Albion makes... He was in a 335, but that had become too wide, and we knew he couldn't be in a 315, so Kate went wayyy above and beyond and had a special tree made that was inbetween. Unfortunately, it took a few months for the tree to come in, and while I tried playing with saddles a little, nothing really worked. And as I've found out, Fizzy is very sensitive to the fit of his saddle.

Anyway, long story short, Fizzy basically, among other things, lost his ability to half-pass left. Now for any of you that have seen him- you know how easy his half-pass is, so for him to be stuck about half-pass you know something's going on... He also wanted to be crooked all the time in the piaffe, with flexion right and his hips right... and would get upset if I tried to make him straight... Same thing in passage on a left circle. I thought maybe his joints were bothering him and that was why, but, low and behold, as soon as Dr. Engle adjusted him and forbid me to ride in my saddle until I got it fixed... I not only got my horse back, I got back a horse that was better than ever before.

Riding is such a funny thing, you know. In the last two weeks I feel like I've learned more about riding than I have in the last few years combined. Of course, my great insights have come only because people like my mom, Tuny, Lendon, Klaus, Mr. Schumacher, Oded... have given me the keys to open these doors... but at the end of the day, it is Fizzy who is my very best teacher. Everything he is (I'm talking training, not talent) is a product of my riding. I've found a trot in him now that's unlike anything I've ever sat on... and it's easy. And it's always just two half-halts away whenever I want it. And the lighter I sit and the more I swing the bigger he goes. It's been in there all along, he's just been patiently waiting for me to get my proverbial... ahem... head out of my --- and find it. Same with the canter... Our first canter now is so big and over the back and forward... and he's so excited to do it that I get a little scared to put my leg on. And we... no no no... I, am finally learning how to really ride him in the canter zig zag, and pirouettes, and tempis, and piaffe and passage and shoulder-in... and and and. Did you know you can ride an entire Grand Prix without your horse ever really being on the bit? I sure do... because that's what I've basically made him do more often than not. And now that he's really through, and really coming together and we're finally doing the work more on training and less on talent, you wouldn't believe the expression and innate awesomeness he brings to the table all on his own.

So, to Fizzy:

Thank you for letting me learn from you, and putting up with all my stupid mistakes.

Thank you for not bucking me off when my saddle was pinching the heck out of your withers and we thought you were just being resistant.

Thank you for teaching me how to get more from sitting quieter and allowing you to work.

Thank you for showing me that a lighter contact in a good, following way, will give me a loftier, more expressive, more supple horse (espicially in your passage, that's my favorite!)

Thank you for being so smart that in two days you learned how to trot like a different horse, and in three days, you learned how to carry yourself like a different horse in all three gaits.

Thank you for making a big exhale when I pat you or tell you you're a good boy if you're nervous. This reminds me that as big and strong and brave as you are, reassurance and praise is always the best reward.

Thank you for always getting excited when I go to put your bridle on, and putting the bits in your mouth by yourself. This always makes me feel like you love your job (even if the only reason you do it is because you love the fact bits are the one non-food item you're allowed to put in your mouth without getting in trouble).

And most of all, thank you for making me smile everyday, and keeping the whole barn entertained with all your silly tricks, and most of all thank you for bellowing at the top of your lungs when the words, "Fizzy, do you want a cookie?" are spoken.

Liz