Catalina and Coltrane - Classical Steps - Part Four

Classical dance from Spain is elegant and deliberate. Classical dressage for horse and rider is elegant and deliberate. Catalina and Coltrane, coming out and into our new exercise routine, will now consider formal training of our steps together. Our mentors will be Wilhelm Museler and his "Riding Logic" and various Spanish guitarists and Flamenco dancers, depending on the day, the mood and the need of the moment. It’s time to set up a boom box and play our accompaniment, as we do our figures, in our makeshift arena. Flamenco moves often have roots in the bull ring. We’ll swirl our imaginary capes and flourish our imaginary sword. No blood. We will do our harmless exercises with developing panache, looking forward to the day when we can actually call it a dance. As the journey is as important as the end, we will savor the sound of gypsies and cultivate our taste for the soulful. This is the frame of mind that will best suit our journey through the levels of dressage. To start, we will perfect our walk and trot, consulting "Riding Logic" for details. Occasionally, we’ll turn to a living professional, as our main coach, Museler, lives only in his book "Riding Logic" which was published in 1983. Fortunately, it was updated, again, in 2006. So, with fully current resources, we venture onto the dance floor. However, as evening approaches, I get a phone call from a cousin. We have a long conversation about various family events, and, before I know it, the sun is dipping. Now, there is only time for a long, hand walk. I gather the family; Mozart the dog, Chris the husband and Coltrane the horse. We set out on the same path that Coltrane and I have ridden over the last few days. I am relieved because the step workout at the gym today was merciless. I’m glad to walk along leading Coltrane and enjoy nature’s garden along the side of the paved road that becomes a dirt road. We finally come to an open field spotted with scrub oak and climb to the top of the hill. There we are rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Lompoc Valley. On one side is a golf course with a pond and rolling hills that stretch beyond the highway. On the other side, we see rolling hills with a few homes and an avocado ranch, in the distance. Farthest away, up the canyon, towards Los Alamos, we see a large patch of yellow marigolds. It must be a crop of flower seeds for which Lompoc is famous. On down, in the direction of the Pacific Ocean, we see the compact town of Lompoc. Beyond Lompoc, just out of sight, are the wetlands and the sea. Coltrane nibbles on the meadow grass, while we quietly appreciate the pastoral paradise that, for now, stays free of development. Coltrane lifts his head and stares, in several directions. He hears sounds and smells scents that call to his wild side. He stays obedient, but deep in his soul, he is untamed. His whole body tingles with anticipation. Reluctantly, we all turn and head back down the hill towards home. Each of us is silent, private, inside a shared moment of primal beauty. On the way home, Coltrane crowds me. I remind him of my space. He wants to snuggle. A thousand pounds of cuddle can be exceedingly dangerous. I flick the lead rope. Coltrane gets the message and backs off. He swaggers deliberately, like a saucy teen. Tomorrow, we’ll begin to transform Coltrane’s unique expression of deliberate into the classical form that stays in time with Latin tunes and gypsy rhythms.

Viva Flamenco!

Catalina and Coltrane