To ride mindfully, for me, is to slow down and pay attention to what my horse is telling me, to pay attention to myself and what I am feeling and doing, and to continually juggle the balancing act of striving for goals vs being patience, having expectations yet being being flexible, having focus and concentration but not shutting out new experience. Riding mindfully is about living mindfully; you can't get on the back of a horse for an hour a day and apply things that you do not do in your day to day life.

Like everyone else, I have made plenty of mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. Sometimes my enthusiasm overrides my ability, sometimes I underestimate myself, sometimes the disappointment of setbacks is overwhelming. To make a conscious decision to try to set my ego aside without the expense of my pride, every day, in this learning process takes effort every day. I remember a quote I read many years ago, I think it was "Sark" who said "trust is the high swinging bridge we walk with our eyes closed". This is so true!! Whenever I doubt myself or my path, I remember this quote, and remind myself of the things I have achieved so far by TRUSTING.

Breathing. Posture. Pressure-Release. Patience. Zen. Confidence. Relaxation. Determination. Understanding. Science. Art.