In the morning Cadeau de Dieu was standing by the paddock gate and waiting for us to take her. When I entered the riding arena with her she immediately DRAGGED ME towards the saddle on the mounting block and refused to go anyway away from it.
I prepared and saddled Cadeau gently, and I asked my groom Zuza to hop on; I just wanted to show Zuza how well Cadeau is prepared in the walk-work: body yieldings, side movements etc. and I hoped we can do some preparations for the walk pirouettes together – me guiding from the ground and Zuza just sitting in the saddle and Calming.
Cadeau, however, had a slightly more interesting/ambitious plan ? She clearly must have been speaking with Cour d’Alaine about his yesterday’s Outstanding Canter in the arena … she looked at me, sniffed Zuza’s boot and just casually, as if she was doing it everyday for the past months… started beautiful collected canter around me before I even noticed.
It’s not the end yet !!??
We praised her, thank her generously, took the saddle off, and when I wanted to leave the arena, Cadeau DRAGGED ME towards the mounting block again and then I understood: Zuza is absolutely fine, but Cadeau wishes me to ride her – I hopped on (totally unprepared but such was a vibe of the moment – do not do it yourself!) and we did a beautiful “honorary” round ❤️
When I hopped off, Cadeau with nobleness and the “higher wisdom” look from the eye gently led me to the arena doors and we went out.
We must be living in a dream, or (and?!) I did some outstanding job preparing Cadeau to the saddle work through Calmness. Either way, I feel just very, very happy and grateful.
