...Braver then I have in quite a long time, and I ended up having a fabulous ride on Miss Amber. I don't know exactly what came over me, but I was just absolutely determined to have a good, productive ride.
I'm glad you found that 'determination'! I am thinking you have reached a point if being fed up and being disappointed with the last fiasco with the grey horse!! Your taking lemons and making lemonade! Although I don't think Amber is a lemon!! Keep it up and it will get easier and easier!
I had a fabulous ride on Amber today, she was an angel I don't know if she was just in a particularly good mood today or if all of this positive thinking and visualization I've been trying are actually working! We did some bending and serpentine's at the walk and trot and I was feeling brave so we did a little bit of canter work! She gave me the nicest, collected, uphill canter I have ever felt her do, it only lasted maybe 6 strides but it was AWESOME! Unfortunately we were out of range of the camera so I didn't get that canter on film! Blah! Of course, right? But I'm still very very happy with her today!