"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ace and I are headed in the right direction, we're just moving slowly.

Slowly because I'm learning and Ace is re-learning, but it's ok that it's slow because as a horsewoman I am on this incredible journey and there is no horse I would rather be on it with than Ace.

He and I had an incredible lesson yesterday. He never reached his breaking point and had a melt down (what I call his sudden flashbacks of fear or frsutration). He was being forced to think, which I know frustrates him sometimes, but he trusted us that it was ok that he didn't quite "get it" yet. He is finally understanding that it's ok if he doesn't ever "get-it" the first time- he will get it eventually. And when he does, he is so proud of himself! Once something "clicks" there is praise and carrots and he chews and perks his ears and knows that he is awesome.

I rode him at a walk and a trot like it was no big deal, teaching him about half-halts and giving to the bit rather than fighting against it. We had a few totally-wrongs, a lot of almosts, and a handful of perfects. We made progress everything was a postitive experience.

Days like yesterday keep me going. But, what also keeps me motivated are little things I find online about him. Like this tidbit, from one endurance rider to another on a message board, warning not to buy him sometime before I got him:

"Because he's nutso. He is bay with 4 whites like that one, and he's been passed from home to home, injuring people as he goes."

Ace has quite the reputation on the small Southeast US endurance racing scene and it is what drives me. It's why I started this blog, it's why I decided to keep him rather than sell him, it's why my fiance and I scrounge up enough money for lessons every week with Michelle, and it's why I keep trying with him- on the good days and the bad.

Because Ace is not naturally, "nutso." People made him that way. And I am determined to undo what so many others have created.

I have no idea what direction Ace and I are headed in. I don't know where our slow road is going. But, it would bring me immense joy if it happened to take us to an endurance race in Georgia someday competing against people who claim Ace is "nutso."