A story about SHV...because your partnership goes beyond the arena.

The day dawns cool and crisp.  A perfect morning for a ride.  You and a friend have made plans to do just that.  After catching your horse easily from his paddock, you make your way to the horse trailer.  With a little direction and a toss of the lead rope over the horse’s neck, he steps promptly into the trailer.

Upon arriving at your friend’s, your horse backs readily off the trailer.  While you groom and saddle, he stands tied to the trailer lightly dozing before the day’s activity.  With no mounting block in sight, you find a tree stump.  As you climb onto the stump, your horse side steps over into position for you to get on.

You join your friend and the two of you head towards a gate leaving the farm.  Opening the gate is no challenge as your horse positions you to easily to undo the latch and move through it.  You smile to yourself as you remember that not long ago one of you would have had to get off to open the gate.  Now you never even have to let go of the gate while you open and close it.

After picking up a trot, you follow the trail to a water crossing where both horses willingly slip across without missing a beat.  The trail opens to a section that invites a canter.  Your horse canters quietly behind the other horse while staying light in your hand.

At the top of a hill, you stop to let the horses catch their breath.  They stand quietly on a loose rein while you chat with your friend about how light and responsive your horse is in and out of the ring. 

On your drive home, you reflect over the ride.  You tell yourself 'not bad for a horse who was champion and high score ride at the recognized dressage show last weekend.'