Ace and I had the best ride ever today.

I rode in my saddle, but warmed up without stirrups to keep that deep seated, balanced feel I’ve been working on. I didn’t last long, though, because my poor legs were pretty sore from days of riding bareback. So I put my stirrups down 2 holes from the hunter length where I usually ride and went to it.

Ace was light and responsive as we played with mixing up transitions to and from halt, walk, and trot. He was moving really well, carrying himself, rounding and coming on to the bit as a result. He was listening to my aids when I asked him to keep his shoulders straight. His ears were up, and as soon as we’d make a transition, he’d flick one back to me and wait for my next instruction.

I was balanced and centered, and my legs were quiet even with the longer stirrups.

I felt good about me and even better about him.

Talk about a confidence boosting ride!

It made me realize that my boy is definitely worth of the show name “Ascension.” I liked it, but it felt a little too lofty for my back-yard pony who has yet to prove himself.

But tonight he started to.

as⋅cen⋅sion
/əˈsɛnʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-sen-shuhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.     the act of ascending; ascent.

as⋅cent
/əˈsɛnt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-sent] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.     an act of ascending; upward movement; a rising movement: the ascent of a balloon.
2.     movement upward from a lower to a higher state, degree, grade, or status; advancement: His ascent to the governorship came after a long political career.
3.     the act of climbing or traveling up: Three climbers attempted the ascent of Mount Rainier.
4.     the way or means of ascending; upward slope; acclivity.
5.     a movement or return toward a source or beginning.
6.     the degree of inclination; gradient: a steep ascent.

I’ve debated between Audacious and Ascension, but decided to go with the name that gives us something to live up to. There were a several deciding factors:

1. It got my mom’s vote
2. It got OnTheBit’s vote (and we’re so alike that having horses with matchy names amuses me)
3. Jane’s comment: “I liked Ascension best – it implies ‘movement’ in the name, and that’s what you’ve been working so hard on.”
4. It’s very appropriate for either a jumper or a dressage horse.
5. It gives us something to live up to, which will keep me motivated.
6. He totally earned it today.

My thanks go out to Donna from A Velvet Cage who commented with the original suggestion of Ascension!