So here it is.  I have been riding Amadeo.  Something happened during the past month that unlocked and released my old fears.  Maybe it was seeing the other woman who was interested in buying him enjoy him, play with him as she rode.  Maybe it was something old and brittle in me that suddenly just fell off like old clothes.  Whatever it was, I am no longer afraid of this horse.

Last week and today I even rode him out into the big field, something I would never have done in the past. Today, after our field walk, we went into the arena and as I was riding and he was being Deo – tossing his head, going very slow and then very fast – I found myself laughing out loud.  I realized that he was asking me for more contact, for more clarity about direction, speed, destination.  He was doing it in his funny, Deo way, and when I got it, there I was, cantering and laughing. I love this journey.  I love this horse.