Gaza

I’m in love… with a horse!

After almost a year of riding my beloved Tinotamba, I began riding a new horse last week.  This was brought on by advice from my “riding coach”, who told me it’s good to get experience on different horses, as it makes you a more flexible and well-rounded rider.  Ella, my 11 year-old riding companion, had been riding Gaza on and off for a few months, but had recently switched horses.  I had seen Gaza ride, and he was a fast, able horse who also didn’t cause too many problems and seemed to be a smooth ride. 

Well, hopping on Gaza altered my whole view from the top of a horse.  Gaza is an absolute gem, a champion speedster, but with a calm, patient personality.  He doesn’t scare easily and he gallops like the wind.  I feel so different on him – smooth, content, fearless!

But that’s not why I love him.

I love him because he loves me.  Like, really.  For some reason, he has taken a particular liking to me – he nuzzles me before and after rides, stares into my eyes with flowing love, and even comes to the edge of the paddock to say hi to me (which, apparently, he never does for anyone else).  The connection we are developing is beautiful and so much more positive and intense than the connections I’d made with my previous horses, Rebecca’s Son and Tinotamba.  I think it’s translating to our rides, where we are connected, riding like one, smooth and free.  It’s brought a whole new dimension to my riding on the farm, and I am so thankful that I was able to come back to Zimbabwe to have this beautiful and positive experience.

I heart you, Gaza.