Most riders hold a mythological dream in their hearts.
The dream of becoming so in tune with their horse's thoughts and movements that they become one creature. The myth is of a creature that is part horse and part man, the centaur. The best riders seem to have found this unity, or at least as close as you can get without actually becoming physically part of the horse. For many others, who don't have the time, inclination, or ability to be in the saddle 6 to 12 hours a day, it seems that lucky and fleeting glimpses are as close as they'll ever get. It can be both disheartening and maddening.