Saddle-less.

It is funny how life works sometimes. The twists and turns in a seemingly perfect, straight, path. It was so easy for Polu to make a name for himself. He was a talent without any doubt. The way things happen make it disappointing to know that talents don't always get the chance they deserve. Even though I relished in the fact that he was MY horse, I wanted the world of Dressage to have a taste of this exceptional horse and vice versa.

What am I trying to get at? I'd rather not disclose what exactly happened to Polu, but his lameness side-lined him. Work was out of the question and it was to be that way for some time. LL was so disappointed, that for the first time since I've known her, she was actually showing some emotion. LL had enough emotion for the both of us. I wasn't as upset, because even though Polu would not be the star we wanted him to be, he had another chance at this Dressage career, just in a smaller way.

Polu was to be on stall rest and limited hand-walks, starting at 10mins, once a day, which mostly consisted of allowing him to graze. Slowly he was to increase in hand-walks. LL and I both agreed, that since his career was pretty much over for a chance at Grand Prix, we might as well take extra caution and care in his rehabilitation, so when he did come back to work, he'd be for the better. This ment that I would have a chance at becoming Polu's rider once again. What an odd twist.

In the beginning of his stall confinement, I avoided handling him, as he did become a little hot. After the Androu walked him, I'd usually feed him treats and watch over the grooming process. I insisted he was still groomed daily because who wants to see a dirty horse, let alone one who is rehabbing? They should still be clean and presentable.

At this time, LL began to focus more on Prince and I. She saw the talent in him and although he was not going to achieve competitive success past fourth level, we could still toy with GP movements schooling and enjoy rides in the ring without so much pressure. I use that word lightly, as LL was always putting on the pressure for more and better. Although I will be the first to say that I like the striving for perfection bit, LL was actually too much when it came to this.

The Seat. Polu picks on Prince.

"Sit deeper!" She shouted across the arena. I was attempting to quiet my seat and relax into the saddle as Prince took me around. He had an absolutely unflappable canter. "Sit," he would say, "relax, I got it." It was rocking, soft and super comfortable. So comfortable, I should've pinched myself. Polu, as with his his entire self, was very demanding and this included the riders position through all gaits. Sitting his canter was difficult and he was not forgiving. Perhaps that is why I was never a perfect match for my Polu?

"Now, drop the reins and spread your arms out." "And for goodness sake Elizabeth, RELAX!" I couldn't be more relaxed than if I went limp and allowed my back and shoulders to slump. I dropped my reins. LL was so insistant. For the most part, LL was only a small figure an annoying, somewhat present, vouce in the large picture of Prince and I. Although she shouted her demands, I was more focused on my perfect little steed, as he silently, patiently, kindly spoke to me. You would think that such loud words would demand ones attention, but with riding it is often the silent that actually do..

Once my lesson was over, I cooled Prince out around the arena as Maryness walked in on Polu for her lesson with LL. Maryness was such a poised rider it was amazing how strong she actually was. I mean, to withstand the demanding presence and attitude her instructor had. LL, although talented in her own right, had a much different riding style than Maryness. Maryness was a kind pilot, LL was a demanding pilot (who would have thought, right?). So the two of them working together was odd. Opposites attract? Well, I'm not sure, but in some odd way their relationship worked..

Polu had been going so well, when suddenly he came up lame. It was subtle at first, but there. So we had the vet out to do a thorough lameness exam. X-rays were inconclusive, but an ultrasound determined something else...

The Price and the Frog

Prince was not my prince. Polu was. I viewed more as Prince (the horse) as the "frog" instead. In all honesty he was cute. But I had more compliments from mom's and kids than my adult, serious Dressage rider, peers. This had never happened to me. I always had one of the largest, "scariest" horses at any barn. If the parents or children were around, they were told to avoid my horse at all cost because it was "so well trained, it is not for children to be around and pontentially dangerous." Yes, it was true. My last horse, Renaldi was a huge 18+hh almost black Warmblood gelding. He was built like a stallion, with a large neck, big haunches, powerful stifle and one heck of a shoulder. I adored him. He was the quint esential gentle giant though. One of the reasons why I sold him was because he lacked that star-quality spark. He was laid back and kind and this trickled over into the show ring where he moved with a innocent, no-purpose-like, stride. He had no motor or work ethic. So although he was amazing to look at, his was not the Dressage horse he was literally made to be.

Kids avoided me as well, because I owned the horse and I offered no welcoming vibes that the kids were drawn towards. This could be why I have no children myself.. So, now I had Prince and the kids suddenly thought I was welcoming. What on earth gave them that idea, I don't know. Perhaps it was the cute little gelding that was in the end of the lead. His eyes sparkled with affection and his sweet expression lured all the little ones in. I started coming to the barn earlier in the morning to avoid this epidemic.

I rode Prince for the first time. He was so quiet and ready to be asked to do something ("anything!" he seemed to shout) that I was blown away. He was such a puppy dog. Renaldi was the "ok...I guess.." type of horse and Polu was the serious mount upon which he expected perfection out of his rider. But little Prince was different. I felt way too close to the ground though. It was an odd experience.

As I was putting Prince through his paces, I was shocked by his suspension. He thrusted me out of the saddle like I was not expecting. He marched on but only when asked. He was anti-confrontational. I sat on him and relaxed as this was the first time I could be the driver without convincing my steed!

Maryness was excited about Prince and thought he would be good for me. He was schooling fourth level movements, but was a solid third level competitor.

I was optimistic about our future.

So maybe Prince wasn't the frog...