I've got legs; I know how to use them

A really good ride today. The dressage saddle is pretty awesome because it allows me to use my legs. I can hold on pretty well, but I can also encourage the horse to ride with my heels. Today I was riding Bella. She is really good at accepting encouragement. It is amazing: She sure speeds up when I push in my heels. My boots have a little metal thingee on the back. And when she speeds up, she gets in a much better rhythm. So it feels great. Dada also has me using these reins that clip on the real reins, so I can get a better grip. And finally, Dada and Kate said I was sitting up quite straight, even without the whip in the small of my back.

It started to rain right when we got there, and several other riders came into the ring to join us. It was a bit of a tight fit, but we managed. I think I like competitions, though, because I don’t have to listen to anyone. I just memorize my test and go. It is hard to hear with three other riders, rain and just my general hearing loss.

I had to laugh as I left the ring because all through the lesson I was just squeezing my legs together to encourage Bella -- just one extended squeeze. It wasn’t until we were on the way out of the ring that I figured out that Dada was telling me to pump my legs in rhythm with Bella’s walk.