When the Horse Knows Better

The dressage judge's bell rings, and Twi and her rider start into the arena. Twi could feel Kathy's nervousness. This was a national horse show and she knew that was why Kathy was so nervous. She knew that she would have to take things into her own hooves today.

It's a good thing I know the dressage test! she thought. Settling down into her stride, Twi got ready to perform the test.

Now I halt while Kathy salutes. She ran over the test in her head while halted completely square on the direct center of the arena: the invisible letter X.

Soon she could feel Kathy's calves nudging her to the shortened stride of trot: collected trot. At the judges' end of the arena is an actual letter 'C.' When they reached C, Kathy gave her the signal to turn right.

But Twi knew better. She turned left and went across the diagonal in a bigger stride of trot. Feeling Kathy's sudden surprise at how her horse had taken things into her own hands (or hooves), Twi had to find new courage and strength to steady her rider and press on through the test.

Next comes the half pass. She thought about how the half pass was her favorite movement. It was so fun to move across the diagonal sideways, crossing her legs gracefully. Kathy gave her the signal for half pass.

Finally she's getting herself together, Twi thought. When they finished the half pass, Twi received the well-deserved free walk break. Twi liked the free walk because it gave her a chance to relax and stretch out during the test. She stretched out her nose, making sure she could still feel the rein.

All too soon it was over. As Kathy picked up the reins, Twi collected herself and broke into a beautiful collected canter. Skipping across the diagonal, Twi felt like a little girl playing with her friends.

Dressage may be hard, but it is a lot of fun! thought Twi as she gracefully moved through the remainder of the test, sinking her entire body into the feeling of the movements.

At this moment, Twi became one with her rider. As she came down centerline at the end of the test, Twi felt that was the best test she had ever done.

They won that day, thanks to Twi. As Kathy held the blue ribbon to Twi's face for countless pictures, she said to her horse, "You won today, not me."

And she hung the ribbon on Twi's bridle.