Have you ever ridden an dragon?
I have.
But I had forgotten what it felt like. Freedom, excitement and a oneness with the creature between your knees are only of few of the feelings.
I don't like forgetting the majesty of those animals, but I'm truly grateful for my friends who remind me of who I am . . . even if they didn't realize it at the time (Thank you, Meg!)
I virtually rode my first dragon when I read Anne McCaffrey's DRAGON SINGER. I was a teen and there wasn't much choice for reading material at the time for 'young adults'. Edgar Rice Burroughs, Zane Grey, and a host of other authors occupied my reading until I rode that first dragon.
For the next ten years, I read everything and anything fantasy, but especially McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series (Yes, they are on my keeper shelves!).
But it wasn't until I rode my first horse did I understand McCaffrey's dragons and their riders. This epiphany didn't happen overnight. It took three horses and almost twenty years before I really understood.
Each of my horses taught me something: Princess--the basics of riding and jumping, Abe--each day was a challenge with you, but damn, you taught me to stick to the saddle through rears, bucks and spins, and when you got bored the combination of the aforementioned naughty behaviors, and Buster--such a common name for a noble beast out of Secretariat's line--you taught me magic.
Buster was barely green-broke when I got him--he could walk, trot and canter with a rider, but steering and stopping were optional. After many hardships and torn ligaments (his, not mine), we had some spectacular moments . . .
but sometimes we would fly.
It didn't happen every time I mounted him, but when everything was right with the world, we were invincible!
Meg brought it all back to me when she posted this video on her Twisted Sisters blog.
The beauty of it brought tears to my eyes--and I'm not a crier--well, okay, I do cry at most Disney movies, but that's beside the point.
I've had people ask me how I can write about fantasy creatures: faeries, gnomes and especially dragons.
It's easy . . . because I've ridden one.
It was so beautiful, I was crying. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI was a big fan of Anne McCaffrey;s Pern Dragonrider series, too. I think that's why I love dragons so much and wrote Dragon Blues. And my favorite is Dragon Singer. It's in my keeper books.
I'm so happy to share this video, Edie! The magic of the partnership transcends into fantasy.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that McCaffrey raised Irish Hunters?
I never truly understood the feeling she generated in her dragon/human bond, until I had that with Buster.
I still enjoy riding mine every day!
ReplyDeleteDawn has a video similar to this of her with Dexter - jumping a 3' course, doing flying lead changes, halting, backing, leg yielding - all bridleless. At the end she dismounts and he follows her around like a puppy dog.
Murray follows me around that way when he's at liberty. He goes when I go, stops when I stop, turns when I turn. I never taught him to do any of it. He did it from the first day I got him.
I miss it so much, Jody!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Dawn did that--she should post the video on utube. :-)
I used to play chicken with both Abe and Buster. It was fun.
She posted it on facebook. I've just 'shared' it on my wall, so go take a look.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret. I did think of you when I posted this, because this is how I see you.
ReplyDeleteThe magic of flying--horse or dragon.
You've created magic of your own.
Aw, Meg, you're going to make me cry . . . and at 5:30 AM, THAT wouldn't be a pretty sight!
ReplyDelete