There he introduced us to the Whychanger Barton Saddlery, crammed with treasures from leather wipes for a few dollars to handmade saddles by Master Saddler Nathaniel Underwood for a few thousand dollars. Then came the Devonshire tradition of afternoon cream tea. With Tony's agreement, I audiotaped my last lesson to help me remember what I'd learned when I got back on Big Al. Edward and I cranked out a balanced and forward cross-country round. You have to get through it yourself.
Riding is a lifetime of learning.
At dinner that night, Tony grinned when I asked how he had the patience to teach hacks like us week after week. I love doing with people what I used to do with young horses. No guest leaves Great Rapscott unchanged. For the intermediate-level wannabe, it was an alteration of her leg position and learning to wait for the right striding to her fences. Only then would I have the control to face higher fences and earn better dressage scores.