Bella makes my heart skip a beat

We were riding outside today in very fall-like weather. It was really comfortable, and I felt pretty good about my riding. I was keeping the circles sort-of round and generally the right circumference, give or take a meter.

We were rounding a far corner, going from C to M to somewhere, when he appeared. His name was death, or maybe Joe, and he carried a scythe, or maybe a Weed Wacker.

I actually never saw him, but Dada did. So did Bella. She took the corner OK, but then started speeding up. I didn't really have time to panic or anything. She was trotting only a few steps. I started pulling the reins sand saying "easy" and Dada came running in and Bella quickly settled down.

Kate and this girl who helps out at Lift Me Up gave me a round of applause for my death-defying efforts.

In retrospect, really all I remember thinking is: "Is Bella really trotting? What the heck?" And sort of wanting to laugh. Dada complimented me and Bella on our lack of panic. Then she gave Bella a treat. Not me. No candy for Matt.

After that the ride was still pretty good, but I could not get a serpentine down. I kept making odd turns and not going straight.

Part of my problem, and I think this becomes more pronounced the longer I am on the horse, is that I sit on my right side. To combat this, Dada wants me to shift left every so often. She wants me to practice this in my wheelchair. So if you see me shifting in my chair, I am not uncomfortable, just practicing dressage.