"It is an odd thing to be trained by classicists. Once the hook is set you are caught for life. You find yourself, years after the masters have gone, at some party where people are marveling at the newest dressage sensation. They look at you and say 'isn't he (she) wonderful?' In your mind, you curse your old teachers. How they ruined it for you! You want to have fun with the glitterati. You fumble to be polite, for respect was also part of your training. You, by now, have been made legitimately humble by the strict lessons of certain horses! Yet inside, you know that, beyond that rider's handmade saddle, beyond the golden brow-band, the tailored coat and the custom beaver hat, no it is not wonderful. The horse is not straight!" :-)