Ready to ride

I am almost ready to quit my job and make horses my full-time occupation today ... because last night I saw the Lipizzaner stallions. It was so cool.

I also feel more manly about dressage because apparently it started as military training -- take that, horse ballet.

The Lipizzaners did a few moves I know how to do, like circles and serpentines and leg-yielding, but they dud most of them at speeds I can only imagine. Leg-yielding is about a million times cooler looking when it is done at a trot or cantor.

They also did some steps called "Airs above the ground," which the show's host said were originally military maneuvers. They were cool as all get out, but most involved like a Lone Ranger and Silver buck that would leave the horse's belly a tasty target for a spearman, so I was a little dubious. I read something later that said they were probably just drills.

But there was this one, called the capriole, that looked like a serious move. The horse jumps up in the air and then kicks its back feet. I am not sure when knights or cavalry would turn around away from their enemies so the horse could kick them, but that one looked like it might be useful in a battle. Here is a video of it.

I saw Eric Clapton in concert years and years ago, before I knew I was disabled and when I fancied myself a guitar player. We decided afterward that Clapton made you want to go practice or go throw away your guitar because you'll never be that good. I sort of felt the same way after the Lipizzaners.

But mostly I just wanted to practice.