She nuzzles me as I reach for the curry comb
I gently brush her soft coat as I prepare to tack her up
she whinnies as I tighten the girth
shhh
I say.
easy,
I'm not trying to hurt you

I lead her out into the arena and I step into the stirrup
I hoist myself up
onto her gently curving back
I pat her neck and grab the reins

I gently squeeze her belly and off we go.
We are flying
I move with her
the gentle rhythm
1,2 1,2 1,2
pounding in my ears
and we approach the fence

As I lift myself out of the saddle
I give her a kick
and we leap
high above the ground
focused on the next flower box
and we leap over that, too

I could just keep soaring forever
but she is tired.
So I swing out of the saddle
and lead her back home