Although not apparent to my senses, there was a ghost at the end of the arena while I was riding today. Ben didn't want anything to do with going on the east end of the arena towards "A" today. At first I was having a very difficult time even getting him past the E-X-B line. It was getting very annoying as he wiggled away from all of my aides trying to avoid heading even the slightest degree in that direction. With patience I continued to ask him to make little circles, slowly enlarging them. After about 10-15 minutes the ghost either left or Ben was willing to work along side it and we were able to ride the full way around the arena.
The remainder of my ride was like a 180 degree transition. You would have never had guessed he was so unruly when I first got on him. He performed very well for me and was very submissive to the aides. I'm so glad that patience and persistence pays off with riding. On days like today it's worth the battle to end on such a high note and see all the hidden potential my horse has when he is truly giving me his all.
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