Awareness of the outside world. Seattle WorldCon starts today. It is primarily an in-person event. However, they are promising a strong virtual component for members. There will also be several presentations open to the general public, at no charge, on their YouTube Channel, including the Hugo Awards Ceremony.
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Optimus
Stepping Stone Farm
Saddle seat lesson
August 2025
Since Optimus is such a reliable dude, I opted to work on things from my hunt seat lesson, specifically keeping my helmet brim up and lifting from the top of my head. [The Lessons Continue]
The phrase Coach James uses to explain this is ‘Lift Your Chin.’ This command, combined with the two previous thoughts hit my brain in such a way that it actually worked. I’ve been told to lift my chin before, many times. Coach Courtney will say, “chest, chin” as a ringside reminder.
Why did it work this time? No idea. This must be one of the joys and frustrations of being a teacher. Joy that they finally get it. Frustration that you have been saying the same thing in different ways for weeks, months, years.
From a biomechanic point of view, lifting the chin could be interpreted either as rotating the skull or as bringing the entire assembly higher off the ground. I chose to interpret the words as combining both actions.
Coach James then added ‘lift the ribcage’ which I have also heard before, more than once. Somehow, this time, it worked. The combined actions of lifting my chin, pulling my head up, and keeping my brim up opened up space for me to life my ribcage into.
It was amazing. I felt light, solid, in balance. All the wonderful things. It was energizing, even magical.
At least at a walk.
At a trot, I could maintain the lift in my chin & ribcage, but everything else fell apart. My legs went everywhere. This doesn’t happen. My lower half assembly is solid. Usually.
Back to the walk to reevaluate. At faster speeds, I was failing to keep my pelvic bone in a vertical alignment. I did this thing. It helps if I think about leaving space for an ASB to be expressive with their front end.
Return to trot. Good thing I was on Optimus because I could barely ride. Steering and other horse-related activities had fallen off my radar. Work in progress.
The canter went well, but then, my canter does.
Optimus was all for it. I was in balance, out of his way, making myself easier to carry.
When it went right, it was amazing. All the pieces fit together. It was simplicity itself to stay in the correct position. Suddenly. I had more use of my arms. Maintaining the canter all the way around the ring was a piece of cake
Would I remember this next time? Funny you should ask. Tune in tomorrow.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Sometimes you get those special moments when everything goes right, and you remember that ride (or lesson) forever. Sometimes your body tries to convince you it’s never seen a horse before, let alone ridden one. Sometimes, you remember that ride, too.
🤞
Joan