Follow the Lead
Friday, 3 November 2000
As usual I arrived a little before the end of the previous lesson. This one had a funny look! There were six students (and the corresponding number of horses), the first one was riding the pony, the second one was riding Jubileu (17+h 
). Seeing the midget being followed by the giant was hilarious, the second kid's hip was about as high as the first kid's head! Even more hilarious was seeing the pony rapidly leaving the rest behind in trot - even if she had to take three steps for each of the other horse's. At the end Francisco turned to the small audience and asked if we wanted to see a bit of magic. He waited until the six horses were walking in line along the longer side of the arena. He said loudly "We'll end the lesson here!" and all the horses, without any need of aids from the students, turned inside and stopped side by side in the centre waiting for the students to dismount. I was just like that in my school times, whenever I heard those same words I'd rush outside 
- Pavlov would be proud!
This lesson was pretty much uneventful. There were two other, more advanced, students so I was happy being Tail-End-Charlie. We did rising trot, sitting trot (stirrupless for me), a few circles (no vegetables this time - maybe some fruits... lemons come to mind ), some diagonals and a double oval track that used the centre of the arena in the longest direction. My main exercise over the lesson was controlling Catraia's position in relation to the front horse - not too close, not lagging behind - and preventing her herd instinct from transforming our turns into on-the-spot rotations.
The highlight of the lesson was the canter: <Handel's Hallelujah blasting in the background> I was finally able to do it without loosing the stirrups! <Fireworks exploding as the music goes on> I finally relaxed enough to allow the legs to rest on the stirrups instead of gripping the horse. I was able to make a couple of full turns around the arena without fighting the stirrups and with my behind gently glued to the saddle.
After the lesson we took the horses to their stalls. After taking the bridle off Catraia I had to wait a little before taking the saddle because she was getting so excited with the prospect of being fed that she was seeing hungry monsters (two legged and four legged) trying to steal her food. Catraia was the first (and so far only) horse to throw me down, I didn't (and don't) want her to be the first to kick me! When she was eating she looked calmer, I approached gently and touched her on the side and she moved over to let me past without any sign of aggression or distrust (too busy eating the most before the monsters returned, I guess).
I finished up without any more incidents, helped feeding the remaining horses and went home, like always feeling tired but happy and peaceful. I feel that I'm making consistent progress over the lessons, and I can barely wait for the next one. I know that sooner or later I'll be hitting brick walls. But I'm sure just being around horses is reward enough to keep me going on less exciting times!
See you next week!
Pedro Fortunato
Lisbon, Portugal
