I read these words today and was struck by the simple truth. After decades of riding, I certainly know how to ride. I can see in my mind’s eye how to be more effective in the tack. I have moments where it all comes together and it is effortless and soaring and fantastic.
Then I come back down to earth and realize that my reins are too long, that I no longer have the nerve to jump big fences, that I need to work my horses more on the flat to keep them balanced, that I will probably never ride an upper level test . . .
So I have to go out and look through my horses’ ears and remember that they don’t care. They are happy just going out and exploring, chasing the fake foxes, and meandering through life.
I’m new to horses and don’t ride much – my wife is the one who wanted them. However before I met my wife I used to mountain bike a lot. I rode with friends who were in better shape, were faster, rode technical terrain that I would hesitate on, and often entered into races. It didn’t bother me because I loved to ride, I loved being out in the N Ga mountains away from the city. To me that was what life was about.
It’s important to remember that and all too easy to get caught up in the competitiveness of perfection. Yes, it’s good to ride well, but if you don’t have fun, what’s the point?
Isn’t that the truth we sometimes forget? Great post.
I think that’s a lesson almost all of us need to learn. Our lives are focussed too much on being bigger / better / faster / making more / working harder … After I’ve got bad medical news this year, I’ve started to actively enjoy life as long as I can, because (and yes, that’s fatalistic but also true) you NEVER KNOW how much time you’ve got! So … LIVE, LAUGH, have as much (harmless) fun as possible and tell your loved ones that you love them while you can!
Very true. And I hope you are recovering well and have many more years of laughing and having fun.
Thank you, I hope so too!