Letting Go

When I am teaching students, particularly young students, there comes a time during the first lesson where I ask them to let go of the saddle and just ride. It is one of my favorite moments while teaching, and upon latter reflection, in life. Up until that point, they believe that holding on is the only thing stopping them from falling. When they finally do let go the look on their face says it all. It's a rush of excitement, pride, trust, and freedom. This same phenomenon happens throughout working with horses. Learning to trot, canter, stand up and finally with trick riding. So here is to all those moments in life when you finally learn to let go and experience the moment for what it is, not what you think it is.